Trust tops Top 50

On behalf of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, I would like to thank the editorial team of the Post-Gazette for recognizing the Trust as the No. 1 cultural force in the city. This great honor would not be possible without the vision and dedication of the Trust's founders and board members -- especially the late Jack Heinz, founding president Carol Brown and board chairman Jim Rohr -- and the entire Trust team, who are committed to making Pittsburgh's Cultural District a world-class urban arts neighborhood.

The Trust's Cultural District partners -- including the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Public Theater and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra among many other small to large arts organizations -- play an equally significant role in transforming the city and raising its national profile. Of course, driving this momentum are Pittsburgh's corporate and philanthropic community and, most importantly, the donors and patrons who visit our theaters and galleries allowing the arts to thrive and enrich our lives for generations to come.

Thank you, Pittsburgh, and please enjoy your Cultural District often!

J. Kevin McMahon
President and CEO Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Cultural District

Seats for 'Spamalot'

I was one of the many people who complained about being unable to buy "Wicked" tickets the day they went on sale. I appreciated that Christopher Rawson also complained about this in the Post-Gazette. (I was able to see "Wicked" by buying a "last available" ticket and really enjoyed the show.)

Today, to my astonishment, I got an e-mail from the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, offering to sell me "Spamalot" tickets (even though I don't have a subscription to the Broadway musical series). I bought tickets without any grief at all. Good for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust for seeming to listen to the local residents about the ticket scalping problem.

Laurie Mann
McDonald

Kennywood is senior-friendly

It was with mixed feelings we read Robert M. Aber's letter ("Kennywood pricing tough on seniors." April 27). We really appreciate, and agree with, his statement that Kennywood is "one of our greatest assets in the area." We also appreciate the many seniors who visit our park, and we have structured our pricing to include rides (so grandparents may ride with grandchildren) for not much more (and sometimes less!) than the old general admission.

This season, the gate price for seniors (guests 55 years of age and older) is $14.95 for an all-day Fun Day Pass, and only $8.95 after 5 p.m.

Seniors also can take advantage of numerous other discounts. For instance, July 5 is a Special Price Day -- senior tickets are $8.95 all day. WTAE Day, July 6, offers $10 off every ticket, meaning seniors pay only $4.95. Participating Giant Eagle locations will offer $8-off coupons for Celebrate America Days (June 28-July 3) -- making a senior price only $6.95. Nationality and Community Picnic committees (see www.Kennywood.com for details) offer senior tickets for $10.

We hope Mr. Aber will not only visit the park this summer, but also come to agree that our pricing seeks to offer all our guests the finest in family fun and entertainment at a fair and reasonable price. Meanwhile, Kennywood will continue to work intentionally to be a good neighbor and an asset to the community.

Mary Lou Rosemeyer
Director of Public Relations, Kennywood Entertainment

Kudos for Kellys

In the midst of the current spate of trashy "entertainment" and the unintelligible gibberish that passes for music and lyrics these days, it was refreshing to read Phil Stephenson's coverage of the Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater (June 5). With Kelly's widow on hand to assist with presenting these awards, I found it to be inspiring.

Congratulations to Pine-Richland, North Allegheny and Winchester Thurston and their most deserving winners, who have restored my belief that there's still hope for reviving the art of "Performing Arts" in the tradition of Kelly, Astaire and Sammy Davis Jr., and a big "Well Done" to all participants!

Herb Stark
Massapequa, N.Y.

Organ restoration

Regarding Andrew Druckenbrod's article about the PSO concert in Philly with the new organ ("Magnificent concert organ is done justice by PSO," May 27): I am not sure if he is aware, but Pittsburgh has a very fine pipe organ larger than the one in Philly rotting away at Carnegie Music Hall. The organ was originally built in 1917 as Opus 270 by the legendary Skinner firm, and it contained just over 6,000 pipes. The organ was rebuilt/updated in 1933 by Aeolian-Skinner as Opus 907 and contains more than 8,000 pipes. The organ also contains a percussion division that was added in 1950.

It is deplorable that an instrument as fine as the one in Carnegie Hall is wasting away. Skinner organs are considered by many the finest instruments ever built. In fact, the mammoth Skinner at East Liberty Presbyterian Church is undergoing a major restoration by Goulding & Wood of Indianapolis. These organs are gems, and every effort should be made to ensure they are heard, maintained and left for future generations.

It seems to me that the management of Carnegie Music Hall does not have much regard for the splendid instrument it possesses. It would be a real triumph for the city of Pittsburgh and the PSO to have the instrument restored and placed in Heinz Hall. About five years ago, Cleveland restored its large 1931 Skinner organ and reinstalled it in Severance Hall. Why can't Pittsburgh do the same?

Chris Urban
Chicago