Christmas in New York: The Plays to See

APA Repertory Company--America's most consistently fine rep company applies its ample talent to Eliot's "Cocktail Party" and Richard Wilbur's translation of "The Misanthrope." Britisher Brian Bedford is a happy addition to the list of players. Student tickets available. At the LYCEUM, 45th St. (JU 2-3877).

Big Time Buck White--Joseph Dolan Tuotti's hard-hitting black-power drama in the form of a meeting. At the VILLAGE SOUTH THEATRE, 15 Vandam St. (989-7736).

The Boys in the Band--A funny and bitter play about a homosexual birthday party. The action and dialogue (by Mart Crowley) are grimly explicit, and the cast (under Robert Moore's direction) is flawless. Totally engrossing and not to be missed. At THEATRE FOUR, 424 W. 55th St. (246-8545).

Cabaret--This musical about the degeneration of German society just before the Nazi era has lost Joel Grey and much of its luster during the long run. But Lotte Lenya is back in the cast, and there's no justification for missing her no matter what she's doing. At the BROADWAY, Broadway at 53rd (247-7992).

Fiddler on the Roof--Now in its fifth year and still in great shape, this powerful Stein-Bock-Hasnick-Robbins musical drama weaves Sholom Aleichem's "Tevye" stories into a panoramic view of the breakdown of tradition in Russian-Jewish society. Harry Goz is Tevye and Rae Allen is his wife. At the MAJESTIC, W. 44th St. (246-0730).

Futz!--In which Rochelle Owens writes about a farmer who loves one of his pigs. There are those who love it. At ACTORS PLAYHOUSE, Sheridan Sq. (OR 5-1036).

God is a (Guess What?)--Ray McIver's play brought to life by the fine Negro Ensemble Company. At ST. MARKS PLAYHOUSE, 133 Second Avenue (OR 4-3530).

The Great White Hope--James Earl Jones does something great with this long-winded spectacle about black prizefighter Jack Johnson. Howard Sackler is the playwright. At the ALVIN, W. 52nd St. (757-8646).

Hadrian VII--Royal Shakespeare Company alumnus Alec McCowen gives what many feel is one of the great performances of our generation. Previewing at the HELEN HAYES, W. 46th St. (CI 6-6380).

Jimmy Shine--A very slight sketch by Murray Schisgal made quite pleasant by Dustin Hoffman's performance in the title role and some songs by John Sebastian. At the BROOKS ATKINSON, W. 47th St. (245-3430).

Little Murders--Jules Feiffer's black comedy (which flopped a few seasons ago on Broadway) in a new production directed by Alan Arkin. It's a disturbing and hilarious play about snipers, obscene phone calls, air pollution, hippy religion and a photographer who takes pictures of shit--among other things. Previewing at CIRCLE - IN - THE-SQUARE, 159 Bleeker St. (473-6778).

Living Theatre--Julian Beck's company in a repertory of productions that, whether you like them or not, will force you to react. At POE FORUM, Jerome Ave. at 167th St., the Bronx (777-7703).

The Man in the Glass Booth--A stunning piece of theatre about Nazi and Jewish guilt. It may not mean much, but Donald Pleasence's performance as an Eichman figure and Harold Pinter's direction must be seen. Robert Shaw, the actor, wrote it. At the ROYALE, W. 45th St. (245-5760).

Minnesota Theatre Company--A limited New York engagement of the Tyrone Guthrie company in two productions--a controversial adaptation of the "Orestia" called "House of Atreus" and George Tabori's translation of Brecht's "Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui," which shows the Nazis as Chicago gangsters. At the BILLY ROSE, W. 41st St. (947-5510).

Morning, Noon, and Night--Three unforgettable one-acters by Cafe Le Mama playwrights. Israel Horovitz's "Morning" tells the funny and somewhat harrowing tale of a black family who takes pills that turn them white. Terrence McNally's "Noon" is a comedy about a fag, a nymphomaniac, a male heterosexual virgin, and a whip-toting sadist couple from Westchester who find themselves thrown together in a New York loft. Leonard Melfi's "Night" is a moving poem about death. Very vile and not a little perplexing, the plays are acted to the hilt by a cast including Charlotte Rae and Sorell Booke. Theodore Mann directed. At the HENRY MILLER, W. 43rd St. (279-3970).

Promises, Promises--You might prefer to listen to the original cast album instead of going to the show, but the Burt Bachrach-Hal David score to this musical version of "The Apartment" is something to be heard. If you attend the show, beware of the unfortunate Neil Simon book. At the SCHUBERT, W. 44th St. (246-5990).

Repertory Theatre of Lincoln Center--Two interesting, if not great, productions--Lee J. Cobb in director Gerald Freedman's "King Lear" and Frank Langella and Anne Bancroft as the Shakespeares in William Gibson's new "Cry of Players." At the VIVIAN BEAUMONT, W. 65th St. (362-7616).

Sweet Eros and Witness--Two one-acters by Terrence McNally, notable for their spasmodic blasts of humor and the most extended nude sequence to date to appear on a New York stage. At the GRAMERCY ARTS, 138 E. 27th St. (OR 9-7665).

Tea Party and The Basement--Harold Pinter's latest and up to snuff. A capable cast includes Valerie French. At the EASTSIDE PLAYHOUSE, E. 74th St. (UN 1-2288).

We Bombed in New Haven--Joseph Heller's anti-war play, that, while no "Catch-22," has nice moments all the same. With Diana Sands and Jason Richards. Closes Dec. 29. At the AMBASSADOR, W. 49th St. (265-1855).

Zorba--A great serious musical about living, loving, suffering and dying. John Kander and Fred Ebb wrote the immensely theatrical score; Joseph Stein did the book; and producer-director Harold Prince tied it all together with a finesse the likes of which have not been seen since Jerome Robbins' heyday. Herschel Bernardi and Maria Karnilova are the leads, with a strong assist from gutsy-voiced Lorraine Serabian, who heads a Greek chorus. At the IMPERIAL, W. 45th St. (265-2412).