Best Plays in Manhattan: Jan. 2, 1928

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

SERIOUS COQUETTE—People scatter tears throughout the auditorium as Helen Hayes shows how a flirt may break her heart.

MAX REINHARDT'S SEASON—Spectacular importations from Berlin and Vienna given in German.

CIVIC REPERTORY THEATRE—Eva LeGallienne's able troupe giving good plays for minor prices.

PORGY—In the negro district of Charleston murder is committed.

MELODRAMA

THE RACKET—A cruel tale of Chicago police stations written and played with stern reality.

INTERFERENCE—In London murder is garnished with glossy epigram.

THE TRIAL OF MARY DUGAN—A Follies girl is saved on her way to the electric chair.

BROADWAY—Gangsters' guns point at the dancing feet of Manhattan cabarets.

FUNNY

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW—Old Shakespeare brightened up with modern clothes, carpet sweepers, and a motor car.

BURLESQUE—In dingy burlesque theatre wisdom, tears, laughter.

THE COMMAND TO LOVE—To love of country are added other kinds of love.

THE SHANNONS OF BROADWAY—A slang investigation of hotel management in small towns.

THE ROAD TO ROME—Rome trembles as Hannibal comes, sees a lovely Roman, and is conquered.

THE DOCTOR'S DILEMMA — The Theatre Guild offers a glittering revival of Bernard Shaw.

MUSICAL

Deep thinkers depend on A Connecticut Yankee, Manhattan Mary, The Mikado, Good News, Hit the Deck, Funny Face.

New Plays in Manhattan

What Do We Know? The ornate Olga Petrova sat down and wrote a play about spiritualism; got up and acted it. There was some perplexity in the audience as to whether she was for or against it. Finally her attitude seemed favorable. By that time it didn't matter much.