Master Class, a play by Terrence McNally at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club. This brilliant play by the opera loving Terrence McNally has its third Broadway performance, and the best so far from the great Tyne Daly. Daly doesn't remotely resemble Callas, she is neither lithe, nor tall, but from the first time she walks on, she's in command, of the audience, and of the role. It is a remarkable performance from this versatile actress who is superlative in everything she does. As the students, Sierra Boggess, the original Little Mermaid, is lovely and sings difficult music quite well. Alexandra Silber who was a marvelous Julie Jordan in a London Carousel at the Savoy, is terrific as the flummoxed soprano. Garrett Sorenson displays a fine tenor voice in a Tosca selection. But it is of course Daly who is the show here. I don't know how effective this play would be for an audience member who is not versed in opera lore, but for those who are, this is a great ride. Broadway Bridge and Tunnel Test Grade A

War Horse, a "play" at The Vivian Beaumont, Lincoln Center Theater. War Horse, is one long "coup de theatre" an amazing and near miraculous use of enormous horse puppets to tell a simplistic childen's story about a boy going to battle in WWI to recover his beloved horse, Joey. The story is harrowing at times, but it is not "Journey's End." On the other hand, you wouldn't find five year olds in the audience for "Journey's End" like you do at "War Horse." The acting is about as provincial as it can get for a Broadway level play, shades of the miserable Beth Powley (from the revival of "Arcadia") the Brits have lately been sending us either their best (Mark Rylance) or their worst. But in the end (and a very dramatic end it is) the puppets are so beautiful and effective, and the story gripping, that it all works, especially as a first play to take a youngster to. This was not even close to being the best Broadway play of the season (that would be "Good People") but it is a great two and a half hours in the theater. Broadway Bridge and Tunnel Test Grade A