Ralph Fiennes Returns to New York Stage Beginning October 18 in David Hare's Straight Line Crazy

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Off-Broadway News Ralph Fiennes Returns to New York Stage Beginning October 18 in David Hare's Straight Line Crazy

Nicholas Hytner and Jamie Armitage direct the Off-Broadway run at The Shed.

By Andrew Gans

October 18, 2022

Ralph Fiennes in *Straight Line Crazy* Manuel Harlan

David Hare’s Straight Line Crazy, which made its world premiere in March at London's The Bridge, begins previews October 18 at The Shed's Griffin Theater Off-Broadway prior to an official opening October 26.

Tony winner Ralph Fiennes (Hamlet) again heads the cast as Robert Moses with Tony winner Nicholas Hytner (The History Boys, Carousel) and Jamie Armitage at the helm.

Fiennes is joined on stage by Aisha Bailey as Mariah Heller, David Bromley as Stamford Fergus, Al Coppola as Sandy McQuade, Andrew Lewis as Lewis Mason, Alana Maria as Shirley Hayes, Guy Paul as Henry Vanderbilt, Krysten Peck as Carol Amis, Judith Roddy as Finnuala Connell, Helen Schlesinger as Jane Jacobs, Adam Silver as Ariel Porter, Mary Stillwaggon Stewart as Nicole Savage, and Danny Webb as Governor Al Smith.

Performances will continue through December 18.

Straight Line Crazy delves into the questionable legacy of Moses and his enduring impact on New York. The play presents an imagined retelling of the arc of Moses’ controversial career in two decisive moments: his rise to power in the late 1920s and the public outcry against the corrosive effects of that power in the mid-1950s.

“When I first read Straight Line Crazy, I was compelled by its provocation, humor, and, of course, by the portrayal of Robert Moses. It seemed its natural home was NYC and now—thanks to The Shed—the play can be seen there. I’m excited. It’s a New York play—that’s simply what it is,” said Fiennes in an earlier statement.

“I am very excited to bring Robert Moses home. We had a great educational run in London at The Bridge Theatre where few of the audience had heard of him. But it will be fascinating to bring this controversial figure back to the city, and to the state, on which he left such a lasting mark,” added Hare.

The production also has set and costume design by Bob Crowley, lighting design by Jessica Hung Han Yun, sound design by George Dennis, music composition by George Fenton, associate design by Jaimie Todd, and casting by Robert Sterne. The production stage manager is Cynthia Cahill.

Fiennes (Faith Healer), Hytner (One Man, Two Guvnors), and Hare (Skylight) previously collaborated on Hare's Beat the Devil, which ran at The Bridge in 2020.

Visit TheShed.org.