Arthur Laurents News

The John W. Engeman Theater at Northport is pleased to announce Always…Patsy Cline a musical, to open Saturday, March 8 starring Becky Barta as Patsy.

Gypsy, directed multiple Tony Award winner and author of the musical Arthur Laurents, has announced full casting for the production. Joining the previously announced Patti LuPone as 'Rose' are co-stars Boyd Gaines as 'Herbie' and Laura Benanti as 'Louise;' also starring Leigh Ann Larkin as 'Dainty June', Tony Yazbeck as 'Tulsa', Marilyn Caskey as 'Electra', Alison Fraser as 'Tessie', and Lenora Nemetz as 'Mazeppa'; with Bill Bateman as 'Mr. Goldstone', Jim Bracchitta as 'Uncle Jocko', Sami Gayle as 'Baby June', Bill Raymond as 'Pop', Brian Reddy as 'Weber', and Emma Rowley as 'Baby Louise'

Words and Music by Jerry Herman will premiere in the New York metro area on WNET New York, Monday, December 31 at 10PM; and nationwide on PBS, including NJN Public Television, Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 9:30PM.

Reached by telephone in Florida on the day after Christmas, Jerry Herman had just taken his morning swim and was enjoying the balmy weather. 'It's beautiful here. You know you take your chances with the weather this time of the year even in Miami, but it's just been beautiful.' After doing considerable reading about the composer and enjoying a lengthy conversation with him, it is quite apparent that much of this man's life has indeed been quite beautiful.

Songwriter and performer Amanda Green performs at Birdland on Monday, January 28, 2008 at 7PM with Brooks Ashmanskas and Amy Spanger

Gypsy, the great American musical, will return to Broadway starring Patti LuPone, the leading lady of the American musical theatre. Gypsy will reunite LuPone with co-stars Boyd Gaines and Laura Benanti. Opens March 27, 2008 at St. James Theatre

The 19th Annual GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION announced a total of $3,927,000 had been raised by the over 64 participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tour companies to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. This beats the previous record of $3,420,000 set in 2004.

BC/EFA presents the 19th Annual Gypsy of the Year Competition on December 17 & 18 at the New Amsterdam Theatre; hosted this year by Jackie Hoffman, Mary Testa & Bob Saget. BC/EFA will create a special opening number in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the original Broadway production of West Side Story.

Signature Theatre presents actress/singer/dancer Natascia Diaz in The Kiss of the Spider Woman - a highlight of Signature Theatre's national Kander & Ebb Celebration in the spring of 2008.

The York Theatre Company announces the cast for the 16th Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre on Monday, November 12 where York will honor Broadway playwright Joseph Stein. The Award culminates York's yearlong celebration of Stein with the Fall 2006 and Fall 2007 Musicals in Mufti Series - the York's acclaimed series of musical theatre gems in staged concert performances.

West Side Story celebrates its 50th anniversary at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. Opening on November 20, the production of the celebrated 1957 show revives Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's score and Jerome Robbins' conception and choreography, with a book by Arthur Laurents-who will attend the full dress rehearsal on November 18.

Chita Rivera talks about Broadway, cabaret, and how a dancer becomes a legend.

New documentary Words and Music by Jerry Herman will premiere nationwide on PBS, Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 9:30PM. (Check local listings.)

John Jay College of Criminal Justice in educational partnership with Ohio Wesleyan University and the Great Lakes Colleges Association has announced a special 50th anniversary production of West Side Story. Performances will be given on December 4 - 8 at 8PM at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater (899 Tenth Avenue) for a five performance limited engagement.

Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin perform 'An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin,' a theatrical staged concert at the Prince Music Theater in Philadelphia for 8 performances only from October 23-29. This is LuPone and Patinkin's first time on stage together since their Tony Award winning performances in Evita!

'The New York Post' reports Patti LuPone may return to Broadway's St. James Theatre in a recreation of her critically acclaimed turn as Mama Rose in last season's City Center Encores production of 'Gypsy'

The York Theatre Company will honor playwright Joseph Stein with the 2007 Oscar Hammerstein Award on Monday, November 12 at Saint Peter's Church.

Here are opportunities for the public to see Words and Music by Jerry Herman prior to the national PBS broadcast in January 2008.

Amanda Green, lyricist of High Fidelity, begs the musical question 'Does This Song Make My Ass Look Fat?' an evening of her lyrics at Birdland on Sunday September 16 at 7PM.

Lincoln Center Theater will present The New Century, four short plays by Paul Rudnick, to be directed by Nicholas Martin, this spring in the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. Dates, cast and the design team for the production will be announced at a later date.