To Review or Not To Review Redux

Here's a brief follow-up to my April 4 post about a performance by Herb Alpert and his wife, Lani Hall, at REDCAT -- the Roy and Edna Disney Cal Arts Theater -- in Los Angeles. In the post I noted that the REDCAT public relations representative had refused to provide review tickets for the program because, as she explained, no reviews would be allowed for the performances "at Herb's request." Although I attempted to purchase tickets on my own to review the program, regardless of "Herb's request," I was told the event was sold out.

I wondered (1) why Alpert would insist that there be no reviews, especially since the superb singing talents of Hall have been heard so rarely over the past few decades. And (2) why REDCAT would agree to refuse to allow reviews.

A few days later the Associated Press published the following:

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California Institute of the Arts is naming its music school after Herb Alpert following a new $15 million donation from the Grammy-winning trumpeter.

The grant will pay for three faculty chairs, student scholarships and music programs — including a student-run record label — at the newly minted Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts.

It didn't answer question (1), but it certainly explained question (2). Just to underline the point again, REDCAT is the Roy and Edna Disney Cal Arts Theatre -- a venue included in Disney Concert Hall as the result of Roy Disney's desire to have a CalArts presence in the complex. And, of course, $15 million is $15 million.