50. "The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion

photo: Bridgette Lacombe
With a soft intensity that builds during the 90-minute monologue, Ms. Redgrave reminds us why she's one of the greatest living stage actresses. The recitation of Ms. Didion's carefully chosen words rarely rises above a gentle whisper, and the musical cadence of her speech can lull you to sleep if not for the fact that the story is so compelling and that you couldn't possibly bear to avert your eyes for fear of missing something magical. And it does happen — especially when she invades you with those devastating deep-set blue eyes, as she did me, sitting in Row C, seat 9, against the side wall. When Ms. Redgrave touches upon you and connects in that way, you know you'll never feel the same again.

But don't let me lavish all the praise on just one. Ms. Didion's play is both beautiful and hideous, emotional and stoic, introspective and philosophical. Just when you expect a major emotional thunderbolt, you are left out in the field waiting for the rain.