Top Girls, a play by Caryl Churchill at the Biltmore Theatre. Starring Martha Plimpton, Elizabeth Marvel, Marisa Tomei; directed by James Macdonald. This was the first time we've had a chance to see a play by the famous British playwright, Caryl Churchill , and we were very impressed with the brilliance of her writing in this daring and provocative work which brings together five intriguing women, both historical and fictional characters, at a modern dinner party to celebrate the promotion of a female executive in Margaret Thatcher's England. When I look back on this play it will be the performance of the great Martha Plimpton as Pope Joan, a woman who, masquerading as a man, became the Pope of Rome in the 9th Century, that I will long remember. An equally sensational performance comes from Elizabeth Marvel, a wonderful actress with a top reputation Off-Broadway, whom we had not seen previously. Excellent work also from Marisa Tomei, a favorite of ours, who shows remarkable range in several roles. Splendid supporting performances from Mary Beth Hurt, Jennifer Ikeda, Anna Reeder, and Mary Catherine Garrison. All of these actresses are truly "Top Girls" and this first Broadway production of Churchill's 1982 feminist masterpiece is an event of the highest order, one that was unaccountably and unforgivably neglected in this current Awards season. Nonetheless, we enthusiastically give "Top Girls" our top grade: A+