The Best Plays

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

Drama

THE MIRACLE -- Max Reinhardt mingles medieval spectacle and religious atmosphere in a glorified circus.

OUTWARD BOUND--A telling and unforgettable voyage to the hereafter, in which not even Death can quite make people shuffle off this mortal coil.

THE WONDERFUL VISIT--A thoughtful, stimulating fantasy of an angel rushing in where fools tread.

SAINT JOAN--G. B. Shaw does his earnest best to whack a meaning out of history.

"LAUGH, CLOWN, LAUGH!"--Lionel Barrymore in a theatrical but effective exposition of the dark side of the silvery laugh of a buffoon.

HELL-BENT FER HEAVEN--Realism taken to the heart of the Kentucky mountains, where a hypercritical religious exhorter seeks to wash out his rival's sins by turning a dam loose on him.

TARNISH--An understanding study of the young man who finds that "off with the old love" is easier said than done.

Comedy

BEGGAR ON HORSEBACK--The tired business man is unhorsed with a brilliant lack of respect.

THE SHOW-OFF--A full bodied portrait of the man who is an addict to self-exploitation, whose enthusiasm for himself remains undampened by a sparkling shower-bath of satire.

THE SONG AND DANCE MAN--George M. Cohan shrewdly puts himself into the gallery of stage types.

THE GOOSE HANGS HIGH--Gives a little sympathy to the younger generation, with all due deference to its elders.

SPRING CLEANING -- Artificial but sprightly comedy of the novelist-husband who tried to reform his wife after his own bookish methods.

CYRANO DEI BERGERAC -- Walter Hampden unfurls his banner as a real actor amid the waving of Gascony swords.

THE SWAN--A satiny, gossamer play, wherein royalty is alarmed by a kiss between princess and tutor.

THE POTTERS--A persuasive close-up of the average American family dabbling in oil, but coming out of it better than most statesmen.

Musical Comedy

For those who find that musical performance fills the void, the following are suggested: Andre Chariot's Revue, Kid Boots, Mary Jane McKane, The Rise of Rosie O'Reilly, Stepping Stones, Ziegfeld Follies, Music Box Revue, Poppy, Wildflower, Sweet Little Devil.