Readers sound off on live theater, the Belmont Stakes and Pride controversies

Lindenhurst, L.I.: During the pandemic, Broadway fell on hard times and theatergoers like myself wondered how long, if ever, we’d get to enjoy live theater again. As the COVID situation improved, theater slowly made a comeback and thankfully, we were able to attend live Broadway performances. I’ve seen outstanding actors in new plays and revivals over the years, yet this current Broadway season stands out like a beacon of light!

In April, Jessica Chastain and a superb cast mesmerized us as Nora in “A Doll’s House.” It was a unique and memorable performance, and it marked a moment when we knew that Broadway was truly back in business.

Last week, we saw Sean Hayes as American humorist and prodigy Oscar Levant, shaking the rafters of the Belasco Theater with his powerhouse performance! From the moment he walks on stage, Hayes skillfully unfolds a complex character by taking us from Levant’s subservient childhood through his OCD/drug-riddled adulthood, capturing his voice and mannerisms flawlessly.

There’s never a moment when he’s not thoroughly engaging, simultaneously showing the deep wounds and tremendous soul of a man whose life was tortured and, at times, broken. It’s a physical and emotionally riveting performance that epitomizes why we love live theater. Hayes gives a performance I would demand any lover of live theater to witness! He’s truly masterful. And just when you are fully embraced by the humor and drama of his words, comes his virtuoso musical performance near the play’s end! It’s a knockout. “Good Night, Oscar” received well-deserved standing ovations. There is no doubt that Broadway is back and ready to capture audiences with its magic once again! Larry D’Angelo

Morristown, N.J.: Rod Stewart says that his lefty lib spouse, Penny Lancaster, will not allow him to hang around with Donald Trump anymore. She feels that Trump is a “disgrace” to women. First of all, Rod should grow a pair. Secondly, would she propose a similar ban on her hubby hanging out with abuser Bill Clinton? I highly doubt it. Her dictating to her hubby who his friends should be is a form of sexist domestic abuse. Once again, more proof of just how two-faced, phony and hypocritical holier-than-thou lefty libs are. I wouldn’t give you a dime for Penny’s honesty. Frank J. Perry

Bronx: I’d like to thank Voicer John MacKinnon for helping to make my point. It’s rare to see someone acknowledge that Hillary Clinton “escaped” punishment for her mishandling of classified material. As to whether or not I was suggesting the former president obstruct an investigation by following Hillary’s lead and destroying evidence? No, that was just an analogy to open some eyes. Chuck Shannon

Hackensack, N.J.: For all those who continue to write in with the endless whataboutism’s regarding Hillary Clinton and President Biden: Did any of you bother to read the indictment? Hillary had all of four (count ‘em, four) classified emails regarding drone strikes, which had already been widely circulated in the media. Biden had seven, and we’ll see where that goes. Trump had hundreds of classified documents, including nuclear and military secrets. And he didn’t get indicted for taking them, he got indicted for refusing to return them despite the numerous polite and discreet attempts to recover them by the federal government. In each case, he lied and claimed he had returned everything. Then, in classic Trump fashion, he combined arrogance with stupidity by asking his lawyer to hide them when he knew the FBI was coming. As always, Donnie Dimwit sank himself. Ken Byrnes

Newton, N.J.: To Trump-loving Voicer Angelo Vetrano: Please show me the “staggering” evidence of criminality by anyone named Biden. They’ve been investigating Hunter for years and have nothing. In fact, the GOP now admits that an alleged recording showing the Bidens took bribes may not exist. They’re not being prosecuted because you need evidence to do so. See the difference? Michael Schnackenberg

Brooklyn: King Trump always crying about the witch hunts against him reminds me of the definition of chutzpah. The boy murders his parents and the judge is ready to sentence him. The boy cries out for mercy: “I’m only an orphan.” Don Adler

Hewlett, L.I.: June 10 was the 50th anniversary of “The Test of Champions” for Secretariat, considered the greatest racehorse of all time. It has been said that the Kentucky Derby is the most exciting two minutes in sports. I have to disagree. I was there at Belmont Park in 1977 when Seattle Slew won the Triple Crown. I was there in 1978 when Affirmed outdueled Alydar to win the Triple Crown. I was there in 2015 when American Pharaoh won it. I was there in 2018 when Justify won it. I only wish I was there in 1973 when Secretariat won the Triple Crown by an amazing 31 lengths. I was too young to go. Being at Belmont Park when a racehorse wins the Belmont Stakes and Triple Crown is the most exciting two minutes in all of sports, period! Nothing else comes close. Mike Franza Sr.

White Plains, N.Y.: The Dodgers baseball team is honoring a group of Pride Night nuns that mock the nuns of the Catholic faith and, in my opinion, they are making fun of the nuns who give their lives to the teaching of the Catholic faith and who do so much good work. The Dodgers should be ashamed of themselves for honoring such a hate group and their fans should show their disgust by boycotting the games. I think baseball should stay out of politics and do what many want: Play baseball and have fans enjoy the game. Joan Cocurullo

Yonkers: The Yonkers Public library is having a drag queen story hour this week and the flyer says, “Adults must be accompanied by a child to be admitted.” I have owned my home here for more than 50 years and pay my taxes, including those which fund the library system. I have never been in trouble with the law. I have a library card. I want to know why I am being excluded from seeing this event. I’m 76 and have never seen a drag show. It could be now or never. Mayor Mike Spano should address this discriminatory action. Nancy Magliari

Manhattan: I don’t know what’s more repulsive, the rants of Rev. Bigot playing the race card or the malignant disparagement of the mentally ill. Jordan Neely and Devictor Ouedraogo were violent criminals who had the misfortune to cross paths with, respectively, Daniel Penny and Jordan Williams, and got what they deserved. The indictment of Penny and arrest of Williams are gross miscarriages of justice. These incidents had nothing to do with race or mental stability and everything to do with two heroes stopping predatory thugs. The blatantly rampant disregard for the rights of others is fueling the ascendancy of fascism in this country. Penny and Williams — one white, one Black — deserve medals, not opprobrium or persecution. Daniel Jean Lipsman

Uniondale, L.I.: It has been said before, but Saturday crossword puzzles have to be enlarged by at least 50%. Not only is the print too small to read, but the boxes are too small to fill in the letters. Fix the problem already! Judith McShea

Glen Head, L.I.: Progressives and everyone else are in favor of clean, green, sustainable energy. In the past, progressives vehemently protested the connection of New York State’s power grid to clean, green, sustainable Hydro-Québec because the power transmission lines, which would have been buried 6 feet under the Hudson River, would have emitted dangerous, unhealthy emissions! Now these same progressives are touting offshore wind turbines as the salvation of New York’s environment. Questions: Will not the transmission lines from these wind turbines, which will run under the residential communities of Long Island’s South Shore, also emit dangerous and unhealthy emissions, or are these safe emissions? Why spend untold billions of dollars on wind turbines when Hydro-Québec’s electric generation capacity is currently underutilized? Robert Kralick