First Reading
June 20, 2004
Axis Theater
New York City

Synopsis:
A new play about Robert Moses, the master builder of New York and one of the most powerfully connected figures in the history of the United States. In 1959, Moses embarked upon fulfilling a lifelong dream—turning the Flushing Meadows in Queens into "Robert Moses Park," claiming it would be the "greatest municipal park in the world." His method? Assume the presidency of the 1964 World's Fair, plunk it down in the Flushing Meadows, drive a Fair down the throats of a skeptical city, and use the profits to develop the park of his dreams. When attendance figures are nowhere near expectations and his namesake park looks more and more like a pipe dream, Moses stoops to humiliating levels to try and stamp one final footprint on the city that he loved.

Thanks to Robert Moses portrays one of the most intelligent and difficult figures in American history on the downslide of a formidable career of building parks and ramming bridges, tunnels, and highways through the heart of New York City.

Written by
Robert Cucuzza

With
David Letwin
James Urbaniak
Jon Patrick Walker
Gary Schwartz
Jay Smith
Ryan Holsopple
Patrick Daly
Sibyl Kempson
Aaron Landsman
Jennifer Morris
Julie Anderson
Brian Barnhardt