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SCENE ONE
Blackout.
Traffic noises.
The lights come up on the waiting rooms of Parks Department. Joe Papp is sitting on the sofa, reading a newspaper. He wears an old coat with blue
pants.
On the other side of the stage, the Commissioner's Office. Robert Moses is sitting at a conference table. He wears a white suit.
A door divides the two areas.
Moses and Papp address to the audience.
MOSES
I know, I'll have to meet this guy. But I don't care what he thinks about it all.
PAPP
(Closes the newspaper.)
If this man breaks up Shakespeare, I know what I must've to do.
MOSES
I've been so dedicated to this city. I did all my best for all. Now, this guy comes here to face me, huh?
(Beat.)
If I was another man as these big bosses, this guy would be out.
PAPP
I need to concentrate on my job. I couldn't lose my focus. I'm here to save Shakespeare for all.
MOSES
Why does he insist in get his show at Central Park? He could choose another place.
PAPP
I want Central Park. Another place? No deal.
MOSES
I'm waiting for him, while he's waiting for me. I don't know what to say. I mean, I know, it's simple… I'll say "It is not
authorized".
PAPP
My mind won't change. If he thinks that, he'll get a deep frustration.
MOSES
This Communist will get nothing from me.
(Beat.)
Who does he think he is?
PAPP
He thinks he's a great man! He thinks New York belongs to him. What a fucking mistake!
(Beat.)
New York belongs to everyone that gets here. You're in New York, you're a New Yorker, that's the matter, man!
MOSES
I made this city. People can walk in all directions without losing their ways. This fucking red.
PAPP
This fucking commissioner. He can know the city, but I wonder if he knows the people more than me.
MOSES
He doesn't know my love for this place. Central Park is our heart.
(Beat.)
By the way, the lawn will not bear a horde of theatergoers.
(Beat.)
They will destroy the grass for what? I know, it's Shakespeare, but who will pay for it?
PAPP
I want to see that park full of people digesting all the words from the Bard.
MOSES
I love Shakespeare! My day starts after I read a sonnet. But it isn't the matter, the proper stuff here is about the power. These men want the
power. I can not permit it. This isn't a Shakespeare thing.
PAPP
What would be this shit world without the poet? New York needs a festival like that. And it has to be free. I won't take money from the audience.
Never. I believe that it is of the utmost importance to have a public theater -a theater for everybody- yes, everybody; for those who can afford it and those who cannot. No way.
No way to charge my show. If I had had to pay to read Shakespeare in the libraries, I never would have read that.
MOSES
These guys have certain things that I will never understand. Why Central Park? Why a new local for dramas? We've Broadway and so many houses in
our districts.
PAPP
I had a dream the last night. I dreamed I was talking with Shakespeare. Yeah, he spoke to me. He said he would be in all performances. It was a
crazy experience, man.
MOSES
I won't believe in anything this man will say to me. I know very well what these troupes can do. They like to persuade everybody. They lie.
PAPP
Nothing will stop the Bard. If this man doesn't permit us to get Shakespeare in the park, we will get the show and stage it in front of the City
Hall. Who has Shakespeare in the soul, get all that and blow up the scene.
MOSES
Mustache is right when he argues that the poor people will not appreciate Shakespeare. It is a Communist thing to think the poor will like it.
(Beat.)
Why Mustache brought that to me? I was so well in Barbados. Oh, boy!
PAPP
(Checking his watch.)
I've business to do. My actors need me there.
MOSES
I never hesitated about anything. But this guy is an idealist. If he were my son, I mean, he could be my son. He believes in causes like me. I
appreciate it. But… I don't agree with all that. If he gives up…
PAPP
Never. If this man asks to give up, I'll say to him, never, never.
MOSES
I don't care what will be the verdict from the Appellate Court. I mean, they will rule in my favor, I guess. I'll win this game. Then, I'll say to
him: pick your troupe and get out of my park.
(Beat.)
If he refuses to leave? It will become a police case.
PAPP
Nobody will stop my Shakespeare. I cannot lose what I've conquered.
MOSES
I had learned with Henry IV that "The better part of valor is discretion". I'll kick out this guy from the park, but with prudence.
PAPP
I'm from Brooklyn. It means a lot.
MOSES
I got here because my abilities. Mayors and governors dispute my knowledge. Who's this man?
PAPP
I've been wrestling all the time. The commissioner doesn't know who I am, and what I can do.
MOSES
(Checking his watch.)
I've many appointments. People from all neighborhoods are waiting for my decisions. I mustn't lose my time with these things, frivolous stuff like
that.
PAPP
If this man doesn't open this door, I'll have to smash it. I'm not kidding.
(Papp stands up and heads for the door.)
PAPP
It's now or never.
MOSES
(Gets up.)
Alright. I'll let him come in.
(Moses approaches the door.)
PAPP
Should I break it?
MOSES
Should I open the door?
PAPP
(To himself.)
Take it easy, man. Take it easy. I've to stay calm.
(Beat.)
I don't want to lose my temper and see Shakespeare goes away. By the way, this man has a lot of power.
(Papp moves away from the door.)
MOSES
I will not open the door.
(Moses walks back and forth.)
PAPP
I will leave and keep the Shakespeare the same. If he wants something, he tries to find me.
MOSES
All right, all right. I'll get this guy.
PAPP
Shakespeare will be at Central Park.
(Papp leaves.)
(Moses opens the door.)
MOSES
(To himself.)
Where's the guy?
(Moses looks around.)
MOSES
He gives up! He gives up. I win!
(Moses comes back to his table, picks the telephone, dials, and waits.)
MOSES
(On the phone.)
Hello! Stuart? It's me, Moses.
(Listens.)
What? Do they get a verdict?
(Listens. Disappointed.)
Alright. I knew they were going to decide that.
(Listens.)
Well, well, I don't care.
(Listens.)
I'm going to authorize the project Shakespeare in the Park. Joseph Papp can do his event.
(Listens.)
No, no, no. He left without talking to me.
(Listens.)
It's New York, Mustache!
(Listens.)
Bye.
(Hangs up.)
(Blackout.)
(Lights up on the Rehearsal Room. Papp is holding a script, and talking with some actors.)
PAPP
Well, well. Let's do it.
(Reading the script.)
Act three, scene one. Rome. Before the Capitol; the Senate sitting above. It's final time for Caesar.
(To an actor.)
You can go now.
(Actors play their roles from "The Life and Death of Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare.)
CINNA
O Caesar,—
CAESAR
Hence! wilt thou lift up Olympus?
DECIUS BRUTUS
Great Caesar,—
CAESAR
Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?
CASCA
Speak, hands for me!
(Casca first, then the other Conspirators and Brutus stab Caesar.)
CAESAR
Et tu, Brute! Then fall, Caesar.
(Caesar dies.)
(Papp interrupts the rehearsal and continues to read the script.)
PAPP
Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead! Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets.
(To the actors.)
Let's do it again!
(Traffic noises.)
(The actors move on the stage. We don't hear what they say.)
(Lights up on the Commissioner's Office. Robert Moses is sitting at the conference table. He is staring at nothing.)
(The traffic noises get mixed with a drumroll. The sound increases.)
(Blackout.)
*Since 1959, theatergoers have been watching Shakespeare in the Park for free at Central Park in New York City.
END
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