I don't see what all the fuss is about. We have Broadway right here between 2nd and 4th South. It's got shopping, egg sandwiches for 1.85 and a burgeoning residential community of which I am a part of. I'll stay home and wait for the mailman.

Obviously Andrew hasn't been to Broadway.

Passing strange should have an asterisk, too - they are recording a cast album today in front of a live audience! It's not just "deep" (though it is smart and himarious, with an amazing cast) - it's also a high energy rock show with great songs and an incredible band.

I fail to see why the Deseret News is paying Erika Hansen to report facts that anyone with a passing interest in Broadway can pick up on the web in a matter of moments.

It's about having local coverage. One of the things I am beginning to hate about newspapers in general and SLTrib in particular, is that they are just picking up all their news from wire stories. You read the same slop in USA Today, that you read in the NY Times, that you see in an AP article.

I for one love having LOCAL reporters, even those reporting on national topics.

SL Trib had a great article - opinion piece - by Sean Means a couple weeks ago about the dearth of reviewers (he was talking movies but the same applies). You should go read it; its still on their website.

For Shelby, too - While you are online researching all that information, I'll be content letting Erica (spelled with a 'C', by the way) boil it down for me.

Personally, I fail to see why you bother to read the column and care enough to comment if you don't like it. Bitter about something?

I agree with Shelby and For shelby. I don't need someone to scan the web for Broadway news for me. I can do that myself if I want to.
What I need is a local reporter who can tell me about all the local shows.

You critics act like the only thing Ms. Hansen does all day is surf the web and write about NYC events. She has previewed and reviewed many local productions in addition to talking about Bway news nationally.

I find it refreshing that we have a local writer with a true theatre background who can update the public and give her perspective on both local and national productions and issues.

I say she should keep up the good work! It's reassuring to me that I can use her column as a reference just as easily as any of these other websites that others speak of.

I read her column because I'm still looking for the angle other posters have mentioned (serious consideration of local productions). After Ivan Lincoln's retirement the Deseret News chose to replace him with a small crew of (EriCa Hansen, Charlene Renberg Winters, Jean Marshall), taking turns covering his old beat. But guess what? Even together they don't do half the job Ivan did. There is GREAT theatre happening in the Salt Lake area, and it's not getting the consideration it deserves (and by consideration, I don't mean merely coverage -- they visit a lot of shows, they just don't know how to write about them very well). You know what I'd like even better than a "local writer with a true theatre background?" A journalist with some experience in theatre criticism.

That having been said, I am hopeful that Ms. Hansen can use her love of theatre and her connections (I'd even say "celebrity," especially among the younger crowd who tuned into her radio show) to showcase more of the wonderful productions in our area. I don't mean to simply rag on her or her colleagues. I just expect better quality as they continue their stints with this publication.

Ms. Hansen is a breathe of fresh air! Her creative writing makes me want to read the paper more and see the things she reviews. Her uplifting spirit shines through in each article. Some people still like reading the paper instead of getting all their news via the web. You're awesome Erica.