The Best Plays

These are the plays which, in the light of metropolitan criticism, seem most important:

Drama

THE MIRACLE--Moves a Manhattan theatre back to the shadows of the Middle Ages. "The Greatest Show on Earth."

SUN UP--The sunless side of Southern mountain life softened by the first rays of civilized conception reflected by the War.

TARNISH--The immaculate girl and the infamous woman--both loved by the same man.

RAIN--Scintillating portrayal by Jeanne Eagels of sex in the Southern seas.

"LAUGH, CLOWN, LAUGH!"--Lionel Barrymore as the clown to whom life was a sullen show.

IN THE NEXT ROOM--Another of those tortuous mysteries in which the guilty individual is not exposed until five minutes before eleven.

MOSCOW ART THEATRE--Nearing the end of what is solemnly described as their last appearance in New York.

THE LADY--An old-time melodrama that you cannot possibly believe, but cannot possibly sit through unemotionally.

OUTWARD BOUND--Episcopal dissertation of life after death so expertly developed as to warrant catholic consideration.

SAINT JOAN--Bernard Shaw and the Theatre Guild in a distinctive discussion of history.

Comedy

THE SONG AND DANCE MAN--The outward and visible sign of the inward and spiritual philosophy of George M. Cohan.

THE POTTERS--Those opposed to hus bands will find this their pandect.

CYRANO DE BERGERAC--Walter Hampden's production of the Rostand classic comparing not unfavorably with Mansfield's.

THE NERVOUS WRECK--East in the person of an anemic hypochondriac meets West in the persons of sheriffs, guns and a girl.

THE SWAN--Molnar's acute analysis of European Royalty brilliantly played and perfectly produced.

THE SHOW-OFF--Reviewed in this issue.

Song and Dance

Leading the list of 18 metropolitan musical displays are: Kid Boots, Mary Jane McKane, Poppy, Ziegfeld Follies, Music Box Revue, Runnin' Wild.