Busy schedules, increasing responsibilities and changing family structure make it difficult for families to spend quality time together. So in October, when a friend suggested seeing Community Little Theater’s production of “Beauty and The Beast,” I did just that.

Then, while reading the Sun Journal, I came across a review that was written by a local critic. The review (Oct. 13) was rather negative about the production. I hadn’t read it before attending the show, so I was able to make my own judgment, rather than going by what was written.

I felt that in a time when divorce rates are high and child obesity has peaked, wouldn’t it have been to the advantage of the community if the critic had focused on the positive aspects of the theater? Our society should be concentrating on getting families together, to share quality time and capture memorable experiences such as laughing and creating healthy family bonds.

Attending live theater in our own community might be that first step taken when children get away from the temptations of the refrigerator or becoming unglued from the mindless commercials on television or violent video games.

Theater is an excellent way to introduce the arts. The actors and actresses demonstrate positive role models to children by devoting time to practice, building teamwork and problem solving. Theater builds on language and literacy skills, imagination, and social, emotional and cognitive skills.

I would encourage critics to focus on the positive happenings, from a child’s point of view.

Tammy-Lyn Perry, Peru