Arthur Laurents News

In celebration of Roundabout Theatre Company's 50th anniversary, SHE LOVES ME returns to Broadway for the first time since it triumphantly launched Roundabout's musical theatre initiative over 20 years ago. Based on the same story that inspired the hit movie You've Got Mail, SHE LOVES ME stars Tony winner Laura Benanti as Amalia. BroadwayWorld invites you to fill your afternoon coffee break with some of Benanti's most memorable performances. Take five below!

Primary Stages announced their upcoming 32nd Season on March 14 at a champagne reception celebrating the Centennial of the birth of late Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and Primary Stages collaborator, Horton Foote.

Penguin Rep Theatre, under the leadership of founding artistic director Joe Brancato and executive director Andrew M. Horn, announces its 2016 season, the professional Equity company's 39th at its home in Stony Point (Rockland County), New York, a season filled with current and controversial subject matter.

Arden Theatre Company announces their 2016/2017 Season, and continues their mission to present great stories by great storytellers.

Symphony Space pays exuberant homage to the Great White Way with Project B-way/95, a two-week celebration comprising 14 events, April 7 - 20. Curated and Produced by Joel Fram and Annette Jolles, and named for the intersection where Symphony Space stands, Project B-way/95 salutes Broadway with an exciting array of concerts, tributes, film screenings, discussions, workshops, and more. Anchored by three starry concerts in the Sharp Theatre - an evening with the incomparable Patti LuPone (Tuesday, April 19), the cheerfully nepotistic "All in the Family" with Kelli O'Hara (Monday, April 11), and this year's installment of Symphony Space's signature event, Wall to Wall Stephen Schwartz (Saturday, April 16) - Project B-way/95 offers something for every lover of American musical theater. Tickets for all events are available at symphonyspace.org.

Jack F. Lee (born John Francis Lee), beloved musical director of both stage and screen, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2016 in his home at the age of 86. Mr. Lee was one of Broadway's leading conductors and musical directors who worked with composers/lyricists John Kander & Fred Ebb, Cy Coleman & Dorothy Fields, Jule Styne, Richard Rogers, Stephen Sondheim, Charles Strouse, Alan Jay Lerner, Maury Yeston, Robert Wright & George Forrest, Sandy Wilson, Bob Merrill, Betty Comden & Adolph Green and Harvey Schmidt & Tom Jones.

BroadwayHD  just announced that theater lovers can stream eight-time Olivier nominated Gypsy starring Imelda Staunton on BroadwayHD.com. This Best Musical Revival nominee opened at the Savoy Theatre in London's West End on April 15, 2015.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) Artistic Director Vincent J. Cardinal is pleased to announce the lineup for the 2016 Nutmeg Summer Series.  Beginning with How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Peter and the Starcatcher and West Side Story., the series runs June 2 through July 17. Subscriptions go on sale March 1, 2016. Single tickets will go on sale April 20, 2016.  For tickets and information please visit crt.uconn.edu or call (860)486-2113.

Artistic Director Jim Helsinger and Managing Director PJ Albert have announced the 10 productions that will comprise Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF's upcoming 2016-2017 Season.

Unquestionably one of musical theater's most beloved, iconic classics, WEST SIDE STORY---the stirring Broadway musical that features a book by theater titan Arthur Laurents, music by the incomparable Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by living legend Stephen Sondheim---remains a still-resonant masterpiece of song, dance and story that explores themes still quite relevant even in modern times. For Musical Theatre West in Long Beach's latest regional revival, the show is presented in a rather nostalgic iteration that closely harkens back to the mood and feel of the original 1957 stage production (plus hints of its Academy Award-winning 1961 film adaptation). Nothing beats going to back to the power and intentions of the Jerome Robbins-helmed original, which this production successfully honors and emulates. In essence, this WEST SIDE STORY is a satisfying trip down memory lane, reaching back far enough to allow the original material to shine and reverberate.

2016 is the fourth year of Broadway Reimagined, the partnership that combines the resources of Hennepin Theatre Trust with the innovation of Theater Latte Da to create a new interpretation of a familiar Broadway musical. This year's selection is a beloved classic of the American musical theater canon, the 1959 Jule Styne/Stephen Sondheim/Arthur Laurents creation GYPSY, based on the memoir of burlesque entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee. Theater Latte Da did this musical almost ten years ago in their old home The Loring Playhouse. Even though two actors reprise their roles, as do the director, music director, and choreographer, this is a different show in a bigger venue. And I'm convinced there is no better venue for this show in the Twin Cities than the beautifully restored Vaudeville theater that is the Pantages, where the historical characters in the play very likely performed nearly 100 years ago. There's a sense of history in this show which, along with Theater Latte Da's usual attention to detail in every aspect of the production, creates a beautiful, realistic, moving look into the world of show business and the quintessential stage mother/daughter relationship. As the song says, let Theater Latte Da entertain you, you will have a real good time, yes sir!

Sharon Playhouse, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Simpkins and Managing Director Justin Ball, announces the 2016 summer season of musicals and plays Gypsy; Big River; Quartet; I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change; and the new musical, Judge Jackie:  Disorder in the Court.

Everything's coming up roses as Riverdale Repertory Company and Riverdale Rising Stars join forces to present one of the greatest Broadway musicals of all time: GYPSY. This production will be performed for five performances only: Saturday, February 20 at 8pm; Sunday, February 21 at 3pm; Thursday, February 25 at 7:30pm; Saturday, February 27 at 8pm; and Sunday, February 28 at 3pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Following its annual season guessing game, Paper Mill Playhouse announced today the lineup for its 2016-2017 season, featuring four musicals, one play and a highly anticipated US premiere. Season subscriptions are on sale now and are available by calling 973-315-3717 or by visiting the theater's website at www.PaperMill.org.

Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) invites audiences to fall in love this summer with Disney's Beauty and the Beast & West Side Story, running July 6 - August 20, 2016 (performances alternate evenings) at Stanley Park's picturesque Malkin Bowl. A beloved Vancouver tradition since 1940, TUTS' two-show subscription packs go on sale TODAY through May 6 (single tickets on sale May 17).

George Street Playhouse today announced the cast of Laura Eason's Sex With Strangers, which runs March 8 through March 27 at the New Brunswick theatre.  Kyle Coffman (Newsies, West Side Story on Broadway) will portray young, brash writer Ethan Kane; JoAnna Rhinehart (TV's Elementary, Damages) will play novelist and teacher Olivia Lago.  The production will be helmed by George Street Playhouse Artistic Director David Saint.

Ask musical actors/actresses what is their favorite Broadway musical of all time and they most often concur, West Side Story. Why? It has phenomenal music by Leonard Bernstein, with concise poetic lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a tight and gripping book by Arthur Laurents, and brilliant choreography established in 1957 by Jerome Robbins. It is one of the most powerful love stories ever, next to Romeo and Juliet. With all these elements complementing one another, from the first downbeat of the orchestra and the appearance of the Jets creeping in one by one on a half-lit stage, the show pulls you in and doesn't let go of you for its two and a half hours ... and its message and images of love linger long after the curtain falls.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, February 14, 2016 - Sunday, February 14, 2016.

Today in 1980, the first Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY opened at the Minskoff Theatre, where it ran for 333 performances. West Side Story is an American musical with a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and conception and choreography by Jerome Robbins. It was inspired by William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. Set in New York City in the mid-1950s, the musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. Bernstein's score for the musical has become extremely popular; it includes 'Something's Coming', 'Maria', 'America', 'Somewhere', 'Tonight', 'Jet Song', 'I Feel Pretty', 'A Boy Like That', 'One Hand, One Heart', 'Gee, Officer Krupke' and 'Cool'.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Musical Theatre West (MTW) presents the beloved tale of star-crossed lovers, WEST SIDE STORY, February 12-28, 2016 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center. Due to overwhelming demand (opening weekend is sold out and second weekend performances only limited availability remains), MTW has added an extra performance on the third weekend, Sunday, February 28, 7pm. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast!