Arthur Laurents News

More than 50 years ago one musical changed theatre forever. Now it's back on Broadway mesmerizing audiences once again. From the first note to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time. Directed by its two-time Tony Award winning librettist Arthur Laurents, the show remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The new Broadway cast album of WEST SIDE STORY recently won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway's finest and features such classics of the American musical theatre as 'Something's Coming,' 'Tonight,' 'America,' 'I Feel Pretty' and 'Somewhere.'

On Monday, December 20, 2010, the Tony Award-winning production of WEST SIDE STORY becomes the longest running incarnation of the groundbreaking musical, playing its 733 performance surpassing the original production which held the record having played 732 Performances on Broadway.

Here is the second part of our three-part discussion, in which Esparza and I analyze his roles and performances in plays, as well as a thorough discussion of the art of acting - and, additionally, a chat about roles he would like to play in the future, both near and far.

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is a not-for-profit performing arts center whose mission is to enhance the quality of life in Palm Beach County by presenting a diverse schedule of national and International Artists and companies of the highest quality; by offering comprehensive arts education programs; by providing a Palm Beach County home in which local and regional arts organizations can showcase their work; and by providing economic catalyst and community leadership in West Palm Beach, supporting efforts to increase travel and tourism to Palm Beach County.

Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim will appear Tuesday night, December 14, on Comedy Central's THE COLBERT REPORT to talk about his new book 'Finishing the Hat: Collected Lyrics (1954-1981) with Attendant Comments, Principles, Heresies, Grudges, Whines and Anecdotes' which was released on October 26, 2010. THE COLBERT REPORT airs on Comedy Central at 11:30pm EST, 10:30pm CST.

Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim will appear Tuesday night, December 14, on Comedy Central's THE COLBERT REPORT to talk about his new book 'Finishing the Hat: Collected Lyrics (1954-1981) with Attendant Comments, Principles, Heresies, Grudges, Whines and Anecdotes' which was released on October 26, 2010. THE COLBERT REPORT airs on Comedy Central at 11:30pm EST, 10:30pm CST.

Now, it's also been picked by the paper amongst the The 10 Best Books of 2010, which honor 5 fiction, and 5 non-fiction titles. About the book, the noted Book Review section writes 'The theater's pre-eminent living songwriter offers a master class in how to write a musical, covering some of the greatest shows, from 'West Side Story' to 'Sweeney Todd.' Sondheim's analysis of his and others' lyrics is insightful and candid, and his anecdotes are telling and often very funny.'

More than fifty years ago one musical changed theater forever. From the first note to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time. The national tour of Broadway's current smash-hit revival kicked off to rave reviews at The Fisher Theatre in Detroit on September 30 and is now touring the country. We've got the first look at video from the show!

More than fifty years ago one musical changed theater forever. From the first note to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time. The national tour of Broadway's current smash-hit revival kicked off to rave reviews at The Fisher Theatre in Detroit on September 30.

Burning Coal Theatre Company announces a new Integrated Acting Class to be taught by Broadway veteran Lori Mahl. The class will run Tuesday evenings from 7 to 10 p.m., January 4 through February 1st, 2011 in Raleigh. Tuition is $100 for the five week class. Please contact Burning Coal at 919-834-4001 or visit us online at www.burningcoal.org for further details and to enroll.

Armed with current sensibilities that earlier versions could only lightly tap, the latest Broadway stage revival of WEST SIDE STORY--its touring version is currently taking up residence at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood for an extended engagement through January 2--truly excels with its fresh new 21st-Century coat of theatrical paint. This moving, energetic reboot is so much more grounded in reality than ever before, creating a vivid and altogether riveting production of one of musical theater's iconic classics.

On Monday, February 7, 2011, The Drama League will present its 27th annual all-star gala, 'A MUSICAL CELEBRATION OF BROADWAY.' This year's black-tie event, to be held in the Grand Ballroom at The Pierre New York (2 East 61st Street at 5th Avenue), will honor two-time Tony Award winner and celebrated Broadway actress-singer Patti LuPone.

Broadway/San Diego ~ A Nederlander Presentation, continues its 34th Season of great theatre with a variety of choices for all audiences. We offer the hottest ticket in town to ten of Broadway's best, from classic musicals to rock icons to beloved family fare - not to mention dance!

Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim's new book 'Finishing the Hat: Collected Lyrics (1954-1981) with Attendant Comments, Principles, Heresies, Grudges, Whines and Anecdotes' was released on October 26, 2010. The book, which debuted at #11 on the New York Times Book Review Bestseller list, has now made the paper's 100 Notable Books of 2010 list. They write 'Sondheim's analysis of his songs and those of others is both stinging and insightful.'

Ask musical actors/actresses for their choice of 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, who directed two years ago, 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 you go for its two and a half hours ... and its message of and images of love linger long after.

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is a not-for-profit performing arts center whose mission is to enhance the quality of life in Palm Beach County by presenting a diverse schedule of national and International Artists and companies of the highest quality; by offering comprehensive arts education programs; by providing a Palm Beach County home in which local and regional arts organizations can showcase their work; and by providing economic catalyst and community leadership in West Palm Beach, supporting efforts to increase travel and tourism to Palm Beach County.

The WEST SIDE STORY tour is playing at the Pantages Theatre in LA through December 19th.

The award-winning York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) hosted its 19th Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre on Monday, November 22, 2010, honoring Tony Award-winning librettist Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray, Elf). The evening was directed by Tony-winning director/lyricist/librettist Richard Maltby and the award was presented by Alice Hammerstein Mathias, daughter of Oscar Hammerstein II.

The award winning York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) will honor Tony Award winning librettist Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray, Elf) with the 19th Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre on Monday, November 22, 2010.

The tour of the current smash hit Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to Atlanta. WEST SIDE STORY will play at the Fox Theatre from January 25 -31, 2011 as part of the Broadway Across America - Atlanta 2010-2011 season.