Search the Community

This morning I got a letter that threatened me with grave bodily harm for an unnamed negative theater review of some unnamed local original show that I wrote for the Chicago Tribune some time between 1977 and 1988. The letter is perfectly lucid for the most part but also quite goofy at times — e.g. “So why would Larry Kart take exception to our show and write such mean things about it? Well, it turns out you knew one of our cast members. You didn’t know him well. You just knew of him. So you decided that since you have no talent and could never do what he did, you were going to savage our show.” I have no idea to what show and review this person is referring, but in any case, after much more ranting, he/she concludes: “And here’s the thing asshole. I know where you live and there’s going to be retribution. I don’t like bullies and you are a bully. I’m going to find a time to make sure I inflict the same level of pain onto you that you inflicted on several hard-working, talented young actors, writers, and performers. I’m going to kick your ass Larry Kart. You won’t see me coming. But one day, a man is going to be walking in your direction and before you know what hit you, you will be on the ground in pain. And then you’re going to get hit some more, until you are barely alive and in the hospital. I’ll be seeing you soon, you piece of shit!” It’s signed “KC,” which also doesn’t ring a bell (assuming that those are in fact the letter writer’s initials). My wife insisted that we go to the local police, which we did, but aside from dusting the letter for fingerprints, they say there’s nothing they can do. Even if by some miracle I could go through the Trib’s archives and found out what review that was, I don’t know what recourse I might have. Any thoughts? I do know, as a friend has reminded me, that the person who wrote the letter already has committed a felony by writing it.