In David Hare’s new play, “Straight Line Crazy”, Ralph Fiennes inhabits the role of the most important New York State visionary of the 20th century.  Heading up more than 20 state agencies in his run of over 40 years, Robert Moses was considered the most powerful man in New York.  He maintained that he was not an urban planner but a doer.

Moses built many, many parks, highways, and bridges.  Jones Beach State Park was his concept.  It remains the most visited beach in the United States.  Sometimes his disregard for destroying neighborhoods in his zeal for change was buried.  But, in the 1988 book, “The Power Broker”, Robert Caro revealed some of Moses’ controversial decisions that changed the New York landscape forever.  The play is based on the Pulitzer Prize winning book.

The play had an acclaimed run in London before landing in NYC this fall.  Fiennes, the Tony winner and movie star, is tremendous.  His portrayal of the manically obsessive Moses is acting at its best.  The show runs for another month and if you miss it, look for the British National Theater Video Production at movie theaters this spring.  And, if we are lucky it might be streamed, eventually.