It’s ‘Martin,’ and He Has Some Friends in the Audience

As I read Michael Phillips’ review of “Martin Guerre” (“ ‘Martin,’ Is That You?,” Feb. 25), I felt an overwhelming sense of disappointment because this important review meant that many in Southern California who would surely love an often-thrilling show were going to be frightened away.

When I saw “Martin Guerre,” I knew I was seeing something quite wonderful, and with pleasure I joined the large throng giving the show a standing ovation. I immediately urged my stage-loving friends to see it and, despite the horrible Calendar review, they saw it anyway and guess what. They too loved it.

RON HARDCASTLE

Los Angeles

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Though mocking the song “Live With Somebody You Love” may have been great fun for Phillips, he neglected to share with his readers that a serious theme of “Martin Guerre” is to live with somebody you love.

In adapting Victor Hugo’s novel into a musical, Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg first explored the theme of transcendent love in “Les Miserables.” On his deathbed, Valjean sings with the spirits of Fantine and Eponine, “To love another person is to see the face of God.”

As in “Les Miserables” and “Miss Saigon,” the music in “Martin Guerre” builds hauntingly to emotional peaks synchronized so well with the state of mind of the characters and grows with you even after multiple listenings. This synergy of word, melody and harmony builds powerfully to the time when Bertrande, Arnaud and Martin sing together in the last act that what the three of them long for the most is a chance to find “passion and a lover and a gentle friend.”

If you enjoyed the profound musical theater experience of “Les Miserables” and “Miss Saigon,” don’t let Phillips’ superficial review discourage you from giving “Martin Guerre” a chance.

BURT GELLER

Culver City