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Arthur Laurents

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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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.

Photos

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2024]
Book
 
[Regional (US), 2018]
Book
 
[US Tour, 2010]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2009]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Director
 
[New York, 2004]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1996]
Creative Consultant
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1991]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1989]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1987]
Director
Director
 
[West End, 1986]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1983]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1982]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1979]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1974]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1973]
Director
 
[West End, 1973]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1964]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1962]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1960]
Director

Writing

Playwright
Playwright
Source Material
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter

Movies

Rope
[ 1948 ] writer
Home of the Brave
[ 1949 ] writer
Caught
[ 1949 ] writer
Anna Lucasta
[ 1949 ] writer
Anastasia
[ 1956 ] writer
Bonjour Tristesse
[ 1958 ] writer
West Side Story
[ 1961 ] writer
The Way We Were
[ 1973 ] writer
The Turning Point
[ 1977 ] producer

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama League Awards - 2009 - Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Arthur Laurents

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


winner
Tony Awards - 1984 - Best Direction of a Musical

Arthur Laurents, La Cage aux Folles


winner
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

Videos

News


STARS IN THE HOUSE Will Return with Game Night, Passover Concert, and More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 26, 2025

Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley Jackson's “Stars in the House” will return to regular programming beginning this week. Learn more about upcoming programming and see how to tune in.
BULL DURHAM and More Set for Paper Mill Playhouse 2025-2026 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 24, 2025

Paper Mill Playhouse has revealed the five musicals to be presented during the theater’s upcoming 2025-2026 season, marking Paper Mill’s 87th season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.
Photo: GYPSY Celebrates 100th Broadway Performance
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 23, 2025

Everything's still coming up roses at the Majestic Theatre! The critically acclaimed new production of GYPSY starring six-time Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald just celebrated its 100th performance on Saturday, March 22. Check out a photo here.
Watch Audra McDonald Sing in New Highlights from GYPSY
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 21, 2025

Starting here, starting now we;ve got new highlights from the critically acclaimed new production of GYPSY starring six-time Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald on Broadway.  Watch McDaonald and the full cast in action in this video!
GYPSY and More Set for Palo Alto Players 2025/26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 18, 2025

Palo Alto Players has revealed its 95th. The 2025-26 line-up begins in September 2025 and includes GYPSY, ANNIE, and more.
Tales from the Blacklist: The Shadow of McCarthyism On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 16, 2025

As Broadway prepares to reckon with the effect of McCarthyism on journalism in the new drama, Good Night and Good Luck, go deeper into the history of the Red Scare and its long-lasting implications for artists on Broadway and beyond.
GYPSY Cancels March 13 Show; Performances Expected to Continue as Scheduled
by Stephi Wild - Mar 14, 2025

The performance of Gypsy scheduled for last night, March 13, was cancelled due to an illness within the company. They are expecting to continue performances as scheduled tonight.
Video: Audra McDonald, Danny Burstein & Joy Woods Perform 'Together, Wherever We Go' From GYPSY
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 13, 2025

Audra McDonald, Danny Burstein and Joy Woods recently took the stage on The Kelly Clarkson Show to perform 'Together, Wherever We Go' from Gypsy, now playing at the Majestic Theatre. Watch their fabulous performance!
GYPSY Opens at Ti-ahwaga This Month
by Stephi Wild - Mar 7, 2025

Ti-Ahwaga Community Players in Owego, NY, will present the musical fable Gypsy, considered by many to be the greatest musical in the American theater canon.  Learn more here!
Review: & JULIET AND WEST SIDE STORY At The Ohio Theatre
by Paul Batterson - Feb 20, 2025

What did our critic think of & JULIET AND WEST SIDE STORY at At The Ohio Theatre?
Audra McDonald Out of GYPSY on February 19; Tryphena Wade Makes 'Rose' Debut
by Michael Major - Feb 19, 2025

Audra McDonald will be out of Gypsy on Broadway for both performances on Wednesday February 19. Her standby, Tryphena Wade, made her debut as Rose on Tuesday, February 18.
David Saint Will Retire as Artistic Director of George Street Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Feb 19, 2025

George Street Playhouse has announced that Artistic Director David Saint will retire as Artistic Director at the conclusion of the 2024/2025 season.  George Street Playhouse will honor Saint at the 2025 Gala.
GYPSY celebra su función número 100 sobre el escenario del Teatro Apolo
by Lorena Pastor Romero - Feb 19, 2025

El musical Gypsy, dirigido por Antonio Banderas, alcanzó anoche las 100 funciones tras su estreno en octubre en el Teatro del Soho CaixaBank de Málaga.
Photos: Kamala Harris Attends GYPSY and Poses with Audra McDonald and Company
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 18, 2025

Just yesterday, former Vice President Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff stopped by the Majectic Theatre to attend the critically acclaimed, sold-out hit musical GYPSY starring six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald. Check out photos here!
Tryphena Wade to go on as 'Rose' in GYPSY for Select Upcoming Performances
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 13, 2025

Tryphena Wade will go on as 'Rose' in Gypsy on Broadway, for select upcoming performances while Audra McDonald is out. Learn more about the performances and see how to purchase tickets.
PHOTOS: Noche de estreno de GYPSY en Madrid, dirigido por Antonio Banderas
by Lorena Pastor Romero - Feb 13, 2025

El Teatro Apolo de Madrid ha dado la bienvenida oficial a GYPSY, el musical dirigido por Antonio Banderas.
Music Director James Conlon To Depart LA Opera After 20 Years; 40th Anniversary Season Lineup Announced
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 12, 2025

LA Opera has announced details for the company's 40th anniversary season, which will launch on September 20, 2025. In his 20th season with the company—his final season as Music Director before becoming Conductor Laureate—James Conlon will conduct three of the five mainstage productions, with other mainstage performances led by Resident Conductor Lina González-Granados and by guest conductor Dalia Stasevska.
Natalie Dessay Led Production of GYPSY Premieres in Paris This April
by Joshua Wright - Feb 10, 2025

Experience the premiere of Gypsy at the Philharmonie de Paris, a musical production exploring the ambitions of a vaudeville family in the late 1920s. Performances run from April 16-19, 2025, under the direction of Laurent Pelly with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
Patti LuPone A LIFE IN NOTES Rescheduled At NJPAC
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 7, 2025

Tony Award winner Patti LuPone will be performing her latest show, 'A Life In Notes,' at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
PHOTOS: GYPSY se presenta en el Teatro Apolo de Madrid
by Juan-Jose Gonzalez - Feb 4, 2025

La nueva producción dirigida por Antonio Banderas y protagonizada por Marta Ribera, Lydia Fairén, Laia Prats y Carlos Seguí, comienza funciones el 7 de febrero.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Arthur Laurents written?

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).

What awards has Arthur Laurents been nominated for?

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.

What awards has Arthur Laurents won?

Arthur Laurents has received several prestigious awards throughout his career. He won the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing at the Drama League Awards. He also secured the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for La Cage aux Folles. Additionally, he earned the Outstanding Director - Musical award at the Drama Desk Awards for Gypsy.

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