Readers sound off on bad Broadway reviews, contaminated beaches and Trump’s spell

Danbury, Conn.: I’ve never had a problem with Chris Jones as your Broadway theater critic (on loan from the Chicago Tribune?), finding myself in agreement with his reviews more times than not. Until recently. I’m wondering if he’s having a bad summer. He thought “Back to the Future” was a “lemon” and “The Shark Is Broken” was a “messy shipwreck.” I disagree on both.

With Shark, he undersold the three performances, two of which — Ian Shaw as his own father, Robert, and Alex Brightman as Richard Dreyfuss — I saw as worthy of Tony consideration. I’ve seen both shows and the audiences seemed to be having a great time, as was I. Jones is not exactly acting as an arbiter of taste when he reviews shows based on his expectations going in: “What psychological insights into Shaw might we be offered?” and “What deep-dive revelations await from a creative act that would appear to be both hubristic and profoundly courageous?”

He apparently had similar personal expectations on the way into “Back to the Future.” This from a guy who had memorized the sex scenes from “Jaws” the book and was disappointed when they didn’t make it into the film (a huge hit without them, I might add). Books are never a straight-line translation to film. Matt Hooper had an affair with Chief Brody’s wife in the book and died at the end. So, going by old-time Hollywood standards, remove the affair and remove the reason he needed to die.

I would admonish Jones to review what’s on stage, not what he’d like to be there or hoped would be there on his way in. Michael Eddy

New Rochelle, N.Y.: As soon as I heard the report about a bear attacking a boy, I suspected the incident was exaggerated, and that is indeed the case. A baby bear, not yet fearful of humans, and a 7-year-old who should not have been left unattended in an area that is habitat to wildlife, unfortunately cross paths — and the young bear is shot to death by trigger-happy responders. The kid was scratched. What precipitated the encounter? Was the bear being fed, or were trash cans left out? Humans are the danger, not wild creatures in what is their home. Christina De Respiris

Flushing: It makes my blood boil to see the Catholic nuns who operate a shelter for victims of domestic violence are trying to close The Dwelling Place. Apparently, fiscal mismanagement is the culprit, but where, pray tell, is the Catholic church in this scenario? It’s absolutely shameful they haven’t stepped up to the plate and bailed out this very much-needed shelter. Then again, since when has the church cashed in some of its gold trinkets to actually help desperate individuals (in particular, women). Disgraceful in the extreme. J.M. Culley

Bronx: How could the Mets not retire Gary Carter’s number? But they will do Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry. Disgraceful. Ralph Canzone Sr.

Manhattan: “Probation officers need better pay” (op-ed, Aug. 27) by NYC Councilman Robert Holden raises an issue in common with most public employment: Compensation in city jobs is becoming non-competitive with private enterprise. So, the United Probation Officers of America ploy of getting the administration to require uniforms and firearms is transparent — at some point, an arbitrator will find substantial parity with other peace officers. There is an unexplored parallel: Sixty years ago, the city had social investigators (the predecessor civil service title to caseworker) who determined eligibility for welfare benefits and provided the full range of social work services. At the peak of the Civil Rights movement, those hybrid functions came to be regarded as vestiges of the plantation. They were scrapped. If the perception of the probation officer’s function segues from helper to enforcer, will that too be viewed as paternalistic? Michele P. Brown

Manhattan: Re “Cop slammed in bizarre cooler slay” (Aug. 24): Eric Duprey was a casualty in the war on drugs. Drug dealing is a consensual transaction that shouldn’t be criminalized. But as long as drug warriors such as Sgt. Erik Duran believe that they are fighting a righteous war, incidents like this are bound to happen. James Baldwin

Brooklyn: Raw sewage is closing down beaches here in Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Staten Island and various beaches in Suffolk County. This has got to stop! This is sick and dangerous! Our fish are being poisoned and dying. Our children’s health is at risk. Worse is to think that 31 years ago, Mayor David Dinkins said it would stop! Last summer it was reported that traces of the polio virus were found in untreated wastewater released into NYC’s waters. I phoned Gov. Hochul’s office 25 times, both upstate and downstate, for weeks beginning in September 2022 in regards to the polio virus in our swimming waters. I left messages and more messages but did not get one response from her or her staff. Under that kind of irresponsibility, I certainly withheld my vote for her. Evan Payson

Glendale: I just received an email in which the United States National Park Foundation is sponsoring a contest in which the top prize is a Subaru Solterra EV. After the U.S. government bailed out American car makers in 2008/2009, you would think that our government would be promoting American car companies. Instead, a foreign vehicle is being offered. What a sad state of affairs this once-great economy has become. I hope all readers of this letter see the obvious wrong direction of where we are going as a country. Thomas Murawski

Orange, Conn.: With Donald Trump flying into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Thursday, a song comes to mind by the late, great Charlie Daniels: “The devil went down to Georgia, he was lookin’ for a soul to steal.” Evil Donny found 18 souls to follow him over the cliff like blind lemmings. He rosined up his bow and played the tune that led them into oblivion, blinded by the light of the Devil himself. Fred Portoff

Staten Island: To Voicer Cecilia Rivera: You stated that the Daily News is a liberal rag, among other debasing comments. My query is why would you read this paper if you feel it is a rag? Also, you said the Daily News spews lies about Donald Trump. Ms. Rivera, Trump has a large number of indictments and President Biden has zero. You are, in my opinion, another Trumpster who is a dullard, as are all individuals who voted for this man. Jeffrey Van Pelt

Henderson, Nev.: Former President Donald J. Trump: from the White House to the big house. Nobody is above the law, not even the president! David Tulanian

Greenwood Lake, N.Y.: I find it interesting that Voicer Dennis Pascale thinks the laws should be changed so Trump would have to pay for any court expenses. Such blind hate expressed in this letter, so typical of the intolerant left. I think the new Democratic Party mantra should be: “If you can’t beat ‘em, maim ‘em.” The timing of these coordinated prosecutions seems to be aimed at keeping Trump from campaigning. Interesting. Joe Fioramonti

Bronx: To Voicer Jimmy Durda: This is the reason why we are in the political mess we are in today — because people like me voted for a non-politician. Sorry, America, let’s not make the same mistake in the next election. Daniel Correa

Jackson Heights: I just returned from a trip to Philadelphia and a visit to the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin, where I heard an unidentifiable noise. Learning about the obstacles our Founding Fathers overcame, and how they worked so diligently to create the unique Declaration of Independence, I feel that Franklin is aware of current events and the sad state of the country he helped create. Could the sound I heard have been Ben rolling around in his grave? Glenn B. Jacobi