Theater: THE BEST OF THE SEVENTIES

Company (1970).

Couples — Manhattan style. From Harold Prince and Stephen Sondheim, the team that dominated the U.S. musical in the 1970s.

Home (1970). John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson, nothing if not acting immortals, graced this searing drama of old age by David Storey.

Follies (1971). A Proustian musical, beautiful beyond reasonable belief, agelessly wise in heart, again from Harold Prince and Stephen Sondheim.

Sticks and Bones (1971). In David Rabe's surreal play, a blind veteran, home from Viet Nam, proves as welcome as a hand grenade to his family.

The Contractor (1971). David Storey pitches the peaked tent of art on the humble poles of simple craftsmen.

That Championship Season (1972). Jason Miller sets up the 20th reunion of a winning basketball team, at which the silvery trophy of the now paunchy players holds the ashes of their lives.

The National Health (1974). Death takes no holidays in the terminal wards of this British state hospital; yet Peter Nichols' gallows humor staunchly stifles despair.

A Chorus Line (1975). Michael Bennett, the choreographer pope of the decade, canonized the ineffable spirit of the U.S. musical for once and for all.

Travesties (1975). Tom Stoppard spewing wit, wordplay, paradox and thought Like tracer bullets. Actor John Wood saw to it that every bullet was dead on target.

Otherwise Engaged (1977). With ophidian wit and acrid wisdom, Simon Gray had various characters invade the privacy of a man who wanted desperately to be left alone.