Arthur Laurents
Birth Place: New York, NY, USA
Latest News on Arthur Laurents:
Chita Rivera Conversation at NYPL Canceled Due to Illness (Sep 18, 2023)
Alice Ripley to Present BELIEVE IT OR NOT at The Green Room 42 (Sep 8, 2023)
Nadia Quinn to Present LITERALLY ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN at The Green Room 42 This Month (Sep 7, 2023)
Chita Rivera Conversation at NYPL Canceled Due to Illness (Sep 18, 2023)
Alice Ripley to Present BELIEVE IT OR NOT at The Green Room 42 (Sep 8, 2023)
Nadia Quinn to Present LITERALLY ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN at The Green Room 42 This Month (Sep 7, 2023)
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Arthur Laurents BIO
Arthur Laurents was a renowned American playwright, screenwriter, and director who was born on July 14, 1917, in Brooklyn, New York. He was a prominent figure in the entertainment industry for over six decades and was widely regarded as one of the most influential playwrights of his generation.
Laurents began his career in the theater as an assistant to playwrights such as Robert E. Sherwood and Moss Hart. He made his Broadway debut as a playwright in 1945 with the play "Home of the Brave," which dealt with anti-Semitism in the military. The play was a critical and commercial success and established Laurents as a major talent in the theater world.
In 1957, Laurents wrote the book for the musical "West Side Story," which was a collaboration with composer Leonard Bernstein and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. The show was a modern retelling of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" set in the streets of New York City. It was a groundbreaking work that tackled issues of race, immigration, and gang violence. The show was a critical and commercial success and won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Laurents continued to work in the theater throughout the 1960s and 1970s, writing and directing several successful plays and musicals. In 1968, he wrote the book for the musical "Hallelujah, Baby!," which was a collaboration with composer Jule Styne and lyricist Betty Comden and Adolph Green. The show was a satirical look at the civil rights movement and won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Laurents continued to work in the theater as a director, directing several successful revivals of classic musicals. In 1983, he directed a revival of "La Cage aux Folles," which was a collaboration with composer Jerry Herman and lyricist Harvey Fierstein. The show was a critical and commercial success and won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival.
Laurents also worked extensively in film and television throughout his career. He wrote the screenplays for several successful films, including "The Way We Were" (1973), which starred Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford, and "The Turning Point" (1977), which starred Shirley MacLaine and Anne Bancroft. He also directed several films, including "The Way We Were" and "The Turning Point."
In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Laurents was also a political activist who was involved in several social and political causes. He was a vocal supporter of gay rights and was an active member of the Democratic Party.
Laurents continued to work in the theater until his death on May 5, 2011, at the age of 93. His most recent work was a revival of his play "West Side Story," which opened on Broadway in 2009. The production was directed by Laurents himself and was a critical and commercial success.
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Arthur Laurents Productions
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Arthur Laurents Movies
[1948]Rope writer
[1949]Home of the Brave writer
[1949]Caught writer
[1949]Anna Lucasta writer
[1956]Anastasia writer
[1958]Bonjour Tristesse writer
[1961]West Side Story writer
[1973]The Way We Were writer
[1977]The Turning Point producer
Arthur Laurents Awards and Nominations
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Director of a Musical
Arthur Laurents, West Side Story
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Director of a Musical
Arthur Laurents, Gypsy
Tony Awards - 2008 - Best Direction of a Musical
Arthur Laurents, Gypsy
Helen Hayes Awards - 1990 - Outstanding Director, Non-Resident Production
Arthur LaurentsGypsy
Tony Awards - 1984 - Best Direction of a Musical
Arthur Laurents, La Cage aux Folles
Drama Desk Awards - 1975 - Outstanding Director - Musical
Arthur Laurents, Gypsy
Tony Awards - 1975 - Best Direction of a Musical
Arthur Laurents, Gypsy
Tony Awards - 1960 - Best Musical
Arthur Laurents, Gypsy
Arthur Laurents Videos
Video: Ryan McCartan Sings 'Something's Coming' From WEST SIDE STORY at Lyric Opera of Chicago
by Stage Tube - Jun 13, 2023
Video: Michael Starr Performs 'All I Need Is the Girl' In GYPSY at Goodspeed Musicals
by Stage Tube - May 24, 2023
Video: Patrick Pacheco Opens Up About Putting Pen to Paper with Chita Rivera
by Backstage Live with Richard Ridge - May 9, 2023
Video: Steve Guttenberg Is Getting Ready to Tell His Story in TALES OF THE GUTTENBERG BIBLE
by Backstage Live with Richard Ridge - Apr 28, 2023
Exclusive: Broadway Legend (and Author) Chita Rivera Unpacks Her Life in the Theatre
by Backstage Live with Richard Ridge - Apr 25, 2023
VIDEO: First Look At George Street Playhouse's THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
by Stage Tube - Mar 27, 2023
VIDEO: Watch Ariana DeBose Perform 'America' in New WEST SIDE STORY Music Video
by Michael Major - Mar 2, 2022
VIDEO: WEST SIDE STORY Cast Sings 'America' in Scoring Session Featurette
by Michael Major - Feb 1, 2022
VIDEO: Watch a Costume Featurette From WEST SIDE STORY Featuring Paul Tazewell
by BroadwayWorld TV - Jan 20, 2022
VIDEO: Tony Kushner Talks WEST SIDE STORY, Working With Steven Spielberg, and More
by Stephi Wild - Jan 12, 2022
VIDEO: Steven Spielberg & Janusz Kamiński Discuss WEST SIDE STORY Cinematography
by Michael Major - Dec 28, 2021
VIDEO: Steven Spielberg Talks David Alvarez as Bernardo in WEST SIDE STORY
by Michael Major - Dec 9, 2021
VIDEO: Watch the Stars of WEST SIDE STORY on the Red Carpet at the Los Angeles Premiere
by Michael Major - Dec 8, 2021
VIDEO: Spielberg Talks Ariana DeBose as Anita in New WEST SIDE STORY Featurette
by Michael Major - Dec 7, 2021
Arthur Laurents News
Chita Rivera Conversation at NYPL Canceled Due to Illness
The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts just announced that its special event 'Chita Rivera in Conversation with Memoir Co-author Patrick Pacheco' has been canceled this evening, September 18.
Alice Ripley to Present BELIEVE IT OR NOT at The Green Room 42
THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present Tony Award winner Alice Ripley in her new show “Believe It or Not” on Saturday, September 3o with shows at 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
Nadia Quinn to Present LITERALLY ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN at The Green Room 42 This Month
THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present TV, film and Broadway’s fun, funny, magical gal Nadia Quinn in her one-of-a-kind feel-good variety act “Literally Anything Can Happen” for two performances on Saturday, September 23 and Thursday, September 28 at 7:00 PM.
Review: GYPSY A MUSICAL FABLE at Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire IL
What did our critic think of GYPSY A MUSICAL FABLE at Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire IL?
CHITA, UNA MEMORIA sale hoy a la venta en español
La leyenda de Broadway Chita Rivera publica hoy 29 de agosto sus memorias en español bajo el título CHITA.
Review: WEST SIDE STORY at Château Du Karreveld
After venturing into British musicals with Blood Brothers in 2021 and Viennese musical theater with Elisabeth last year, the Bruxellons! Festival is getting back to Broadway with a completely new take on West Side Story, arguably the best musical ever—certainly the best-known and most well-loved one in Europe.
The Green Room 42 to Present Australian Drag and Theater Legend Trevor Ashley Next Month
THE GREEN ROOM 42 – the intimate concert venue dubbed Broadway's “off-night hotspot” by The New York Times – will present Australian drag and theater legend Trevor Ashley, best known from the TV hit “Queen of the Universe,” in the new show “Queen of the Moment” for two performances on Thursday, September 14 and Friday, September 15 at 9:30 PM.
Josie de Guzman to Present BACK WHERE I STARTED at The Green Room 42
Join in at The Green Room 42 for an unforgettable performance by Josie de Guzman in BACK WHERE I STARTED. This must-see show is running for a limited time only, so secure your seats today and witness her incredible talent.
New York Debut of THE FABULIST FOX SISTER is Coming to The Green Room 42
Get ready for the highly anticipated New York debut of THE FABULIST FOX SISTER at The Green Room 42. Don't miss this limited engagement performance! Find out all the details and secure your tickets now.
Patti LuPone to Perform DON'T MONKEY WITH BROADWAY in Support of Seattle Men's and Women's Chorus
Join Tony Award-winning actress Patti LuPone as she brings her acclaimed 'Don't Monkey with Broadway' concert to Seattle in support of the Seattle Men's Chorus and Seattle Women's Chorus. Don't miss your chance to experience the magic of Broadway while supporting a great cause.
The Green Room 42 Unveils New Look And New Season
THE GREEN ROOM 42 – the intimate concert venue dubbed Broadway’s “off-night hotspot” by The New York Times – has announced a special reopening with a dazzling renovation.
Paul Iacono, Josie de Guzman & More Set for September Lineup at The Green Room 42
Get ready for an incredible lineup of performances at The Green Room 42 this September! Find out who will be taking the stage and when you can catch these talented artists in action. Don't miss out on these unforgettable shows - get all the information you need right here.
SWEENEY TODD, A History- Part 2: The Demon Barber Slashes His Way From Page To Stage And Beyond
Learn how Sondheim made Sweeney sing and how Mr. Todd made his mark on mass media in Part 2 of SWEENEY TODD, A History.
Christine Ebersole, Norm Lewis, Andrew Rannells & More to Headline York Theatre Company Gala
Get all the details on the star-studded lineup for York Theatre Company's 31st Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala, including Christine Ebersole, Norm Lewis, Andrew Rannells, and more. Find out when and where the event will take place.
THE PIANIST, Directed and Adapted by Emily Mann, is Coming to George Street Playhouse
Immerse yourself in the mesmerizing world of 'The Pianist' as it comes to life on stage at George Street Playhouse. Don't miss this limited engagement. Book your tickets now for an unforgettable theatrical experience.
BREAKING: Marta Ribera protagonizará GYPSY en el papel de Rose, dirigido por Antonio Banderas
El musical se estrenará en el Teatro del Soho CaixaBank de Málaga en octubre de 2024.
Review: WEST SIDE STORY at The Forum
What did our critic think of WEST SIDE STORY at The Forum? Northeast Arkansas has a bustling artistic community, and Broadway World was thrilled to get to know the talent that is being presented at The Forum, 115 E Monroe Ave, which is guided by the Foundation of the Arts in Jonesboro.
WEST SIDE STORY Opens at Lake Worth Playhouse This Month
LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE presents West Side Story on the Main Stage as part of its 71st Season. WEST SIDE STORY opens Friday, July 14, 2023 and runs for three weekends through July 30, 2023.
Meet the Full Cast and Production Team of West Side Story at The Muny
Full cast, design and production teams have been set for one of the greatest and most powerful musicals of our time, West Side Story, playing at The Muny July 15 - 21. Learn how to purchase tickets!
George Street Playhouse Announces Its 50th Season
George Street Playhouse has announced its 2023-24 productions. This golden anniversary year will mark the 50th season for the award-winning theater company, with performances at The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center in New Brunswick, NJ.
Arthur Laurents FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Arthur Laurents has written 18 shows including Home of the Brave (Playwright), The Bird Cage (Playwright), The Time of the Cuckoo (Playwright), A Clearing in the Woods (Playwright), West Side Story (Bookwriter), Gypsy (Bookwriter), Invitation to a March (Playwright), Anyone Can Whistle (Bookwriter), Do I Hear a Waltz? (Source Material), Hallelujah, Baby! (Bookwriter), The Enclave (Playwright), The Madwoman of Central Park West (Bookwriter), Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Bookwriter), Nick & Nora (Bookwriter), The Radical Mystique (Playwright), Angela Lansbury - A Celebration (Playwright), The Time of the Cuckoo (Playwright), The Light in the Piazza (Bookwriter).
Founders Award for Excellence in Directing (Drama League Awards) , Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for West Side Story , Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Gypsy , Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Gypsy , Outstanding Director, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Gypsy , Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for La Cage aux Folles , Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Gypsy Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Gypsy and Best Musical (Tony Awards) for Gypsy .
Founders Award for Excellence in Directing (Drama League Awards) Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for La Cage aux Follesand Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Gypsy.
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