Robert Moses, The Musical

Not too long ago, Jamie posted about a musical based on Atlantic Yards.  It seems like the New York theater scene just can't resist land use topics (not that I blame them).  Now we have . . .

"Robert Moses Astride New York," a new show based on Robert Caro's Pulitzer-winning biography of the legendary New York figure, The Power Broker.  From the NY Times article by Robin Pogrebin:

So a reporter invited Mr. Caro to join her for a sneak peek at the budding musical, “Robert Moses Astride New York,” a work in progress that will have its world premiere in a one-night-only free performance at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the World Financial Center in Lower Manhattan.

To be sure, the musical is considerably less comprehensive than Mr. Caro’s 1,286-page 1974 book, “The Power Broker,” which follows Moses’ career as city parks commissioner and chairman of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority. “Robert Moses Astride New York” moves through major chapters of history in just a few stanzas, and the piece to be performed Saturday is only a sampling of what the composer, Gary Fagin, ultimately hopes will become a full-fledged production featuring additional characters like the neighborhood activist Jane Jacobs and Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia. Saturday’s concert will feature the Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra (Mr. Fagin is its music director and conductor), which will also perform classics by American composers like Aaron Copland, Charles Ives, Leonard Bernstein and Bob Dylan.

I'm about halfway through Caro's The Power Broker--it's a great read, but very long.  If you're in New York, you can get the abridged version (+ songs!) at tonight's free world premiere at the World Financial Center. 

Matt Festa