The popular fascination with Robert Moses, "master builder of New York" and one of the most prominent figures in planning history, continues.
A new play by Sir David Hare, titled "Straight Line Crazy," opened at the Bridge Theatre in London on March 23. The play stars Ralph Fiennes as Robert Moses—the so-called "master builder" of New York, one of Planetizen's "Most Influential Urbanists" of all time, and the subject of Robert Caro's tour de force biographical tome, The Power Broker.
In roughly the past decade, Moses has been the subject of a movie, a musical, an opera, and multiple video games, not to mention political speeches and a failed HBO movie directed by Oliver Stone.
So now it's time for a plan, and the reviews for "Straight Line Crazy" are in. We've collected some of the links to stories about the new play and Robert Moses's unparalleled ability to inspire artists of many genres well past his death.
- Straight Line Crazy review – Ralph Fiennes enthrals as the man who shaped New York (The Guardian, March 23)
- ‘Straight Line Crazy’ Review: Ralph Fiennes Plays Robert Moses in David Hare’s Talky New Play (Variety, March 25)
- How Robert Moses, a master urban planner, reshaped New York (The Economist, March 24)
- Robert Moses and Jane Jacobs Go to London (The New Yorker, March 26)
FULL STORY: Ralph Fiennes Leads World Premiere of Straight Line Crazy, Opening March 23 at London's The Bridge
Robert Moses Inspires 'Motherless Brooklyn'
A new movie starring Edward Norton, based on the novel of the same name by Lionel Essrog, gives a central role to a Robert Moses doppelgänger, as portrayed by Alec Baldwin.
New York Poised to Become a Biking City
Could the pandemic be a tipping point for a century of car-centric planning in New York City's to give way to a more bike-friendly city?
Revisiting the Legacy of Robert Moses
A visit from the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to see Robert Caro, author of "The Power Broker," provides a refresher on the works of Robert Moses and Caro's writing.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
USDOT Revokes Approval for NYC Congestion Pricing
Despite the administration’s stated concern for the “working class,” 85 percent of Manhattan commuters use public transit to enter the city.
Tiny House Villages for Addressing Homelessness: An Interview with Yetimoni Kpeebi
One researcher's perspective on the potential of tiny homes and owner-built housing as one tool to fight the housing crisis.
Preserving Altadena’s Trees: A Community Effort to Save a Fire-Damaged Landscape
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena Green is working to preserve fire-damaged but recoverable trees, advocating for better assessment processes, educating homeowners, and protecting the community’s urban canopy from unnecessary removal.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Investigation Reveals Just How Badly California’s Homeless Shelters are Failing
Fraud, violence, death, and chaos follow a billion dollar investment in a temporary solution that is proving ineffective.
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