To the Editors of The Crimson:
In his recent review of the three plays at the American Premiere Stage, David B. Edelstein characterized "John Simon and his less literate disciples" as the "cigar-in-the-elevator" school of criticism. Since this tobaccical trope was coined by none other than yours truly in a piece I wrote for the Boston Phoenix earlier this year, I can only conclude that Mr. Edelstein sees me as another of these "less literate disciples" of Mr. Simon's. I would readily admit to being less literate than Mr. Simon; as to being a follower of his, I would respectfully demur. But does it really matter? More to the point, I am hurt and chagrined to be assailed in such a surreptitious way by a fellow critic for whom I have only the profoundest respect.
Some people really know how to kick a guy when he's down. Paul A. Attanasio '81
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