Robert Moses Takes to the Stage in 'Straight Line Crazy,' Starring Ralph Fiennes

The popular fascination with Robert Moses, "master builder of New York" and one of the most prominent figures in planning history, continues.

1 minute read

March 31, 2022, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Robert Moses at the ribbon-cutting for the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge

Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York / Robert Moses at the ribbon-cutting for the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge

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.

Wednesday, March 23, 2022 in Playbill

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Man in teal shirt opening door to white microtransit shuttle with cactus graphics and making inviting gesture toward the camera.

Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps

New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.

3 hours ago - U.S. Department Of Transportation

Group of people at table set ouf with picnic food on street during a neighborhood block party.

This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors

A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.

4 hours ago - The Kansas City Star

Crowd gathered with protest signs on April 5, 2025 on steps of Minnesota state capitol protesting Trump cuts to social security and other federal programs.

Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us

Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.

5 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine