Meanwhile, Cedar Pundit picks up the story about the Press-Citizen not include articles about local theater in the Go section anymore.



I first received notice of this from the assistant director for Rosenstrasse, the Dreamwell play opening this weekend that I happen to have a role in. (So have I plugged this enough already?).



He received a call from the Press-Citizen, who indicated that they wouldn't be including articles about local theater in the Go section anymore. Instead, they would be relegated to a blurb on the Calendar. I emailed the PC and got an interesting response. Key quotes:



"No, we are not discontinuing our coverage of local arts. . . I would encourage you to take a look at the new GO in Thursday’s paper I think you will find that the section is filled with local arts coverage. . . I have received several e-mails this afternoon from theater folks saying they’ve heard we are discontinuing coverage of local theater. That is simply not true. I would also point out that GO is not the only avenue through which we provide coverage of local arts and events—we have a Life page five days a week."



First, note how this email makes it sound like the decision to discontinue this coverage was some unfounded rumor that popped up out of nowhere, rather than a telephone call from the PC themselves. I find that rather rude and condescending, to say the least. Pat the theater chick on the head and send her away with a clever reassurance. Nice try.



Second, note the careful wording. "Local arts" are going to be featured in the Go section, but no specific mention of theater. Instead, I am reminded that there is a Life section five days a week. Fine and dandy, but you didn't call us to say you'd decided to move the coverage from the Go section to the Life section. You said you were discontinuing the articles.



Ms. DeWall, if you have received sufficient emails to decide you wish to cover your ass by moving the coverage rather than discontinuing it, we'll allow it to slide. I'll check out your Thursday paper to see if you cover the opening of Rosenstrasse by Dreamwell, which happens to coincide with National Holocaust Rememberance Week so it should make a rather newsworthy story. Or perhaps you'll cover the opening of Man of La Mancha at Iowa City Community Theater, also expected to be an excellent show. If not, don't expect any of us to go away quietly.