Re: A CATERED AFFAIR -- NY Times review

I would take issue, Mr. Bouton, with your dichotomy of escapism VS.
shows that "engage one's intellect".  The fairytale story of BEAUTY
AND THE BEAST engages the intellect more than dozens of socially
conscious plays I've suffered through in my time.

When some drunk buttonholes you in a bar and bores you with his
ignorant political views, we call it annoying.  For some reason, when
the same thing happens in the theatre, we feel compelled to call it
"challenging", "im****tant", and "engaging the intellect".