Arthur Laurents News

Director Ken Sawyer is an award-winning director for his productions of Deathtrap and Hit the Wall a few years ago at the LGBTQ Center. He is getting ready to open The Rope at Actors Co-op this Friday September 21. Sawyer took time from the busy tech week to discuss the play that became one of Alfred Hitchcock's curious films.  How does The Rope in play form differ from Hitchcock's movie? Hitchcock's movie took place in the 40s in New York City. The play originally was set

MTI is one of the biggest names in the theatre industry responsible for licensing shows and guarding the rights of the brightest creative minds. BroadwayWorld spoke with two staff insiders to find out what the licensing process is, how Junior musicals are developed, and more!

General Director and CEO Deborah Sandler today announced that Lyric Opera will co-sponsor a FREE special event with the Kansas City Public Library today, Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Truman Forum at the Plaza Branch of the Kansas City Public Library (4801 Main St., KCMO 64112) featuring Jamie Bernstein, eldest daughter of revered composer/conductor Leonard Bernstein. A writer, broadcaster, concert narrator, and filmmaker, Ms. Bernstein offers a rare look at her father on the centennial of his birth in her deeply intimate and evocative new book, FAMOUS FATHER GIRL: A Memoir of Growing Up Bernstein. The program will include some Leonard Bernstein songs, performed by members of Lyric Opera's Resident Artist and Young Artist programs, that underline the passion and the compassion of this great American composer. Afterward, Ms. Bernstein will sign copies of her book, which will be available for purchase at the event through Rainy Day Books. Ms. Bernstein's high res headshot is available upon request. West Side Story artist headshots, bio and set renderings can be found here.

Porchlight Music Theatre's Mainstage 2018 - 2019 season launches with Gypsy, A Musical Fable, October 12 - November 25, at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.  Porchlight Music Theatre's Gypsy stars E. Faye Butler as "Rose," is directed by Michael Weber, music directed by David Fiorello and choreographed/associate directed by Chris Carter.

Michael Barnard's production of WEST SIDE STORY (at Phoenix Theatre through October 14th) is a triumph of direction, featuring stellar performances by Joy Del Valle, James Gish, and Alyssa Chiarello.

Heartbreak House celebrated its opening night last night, September 6. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out all the photos below!

The limited Off-Broadway engagement for the Shaw's timely classic comedy Heartbreak House will open Sunday September 9th.at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues) and continue through September 29th only. Check out photos of the ensemble in action below!

Lyric Opera of Kansas City opens its 2018-2019 season with the award-winning work that transports Romeo & Juliet to the streets of New York City, a NEW PRODUCTION of West Side Story

Gingold Theatrical Group announces that performances will begin this evening for the Shaw's timely classic comedy Heartbreak House, at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues) and continue through September 29th only.  Opening Night for this limited Off-Broadway engagement is set for Sunday September 9th.

General Director and CEO Deborah Sandler today announced that Lyric Opera will co-sponsor a FREE special event with the Kansas City Public Library on Thursday, Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Truman Forum at the Plaza Branch of the Kansas City Public Library (4801 Main St., KCMO 64112) featuring Jamie Bernstein, eldest daughter of revered composer/conductor Leonard Bernstein. A writer, broadcaster, concert narrator, and filmmaker, Ms. Bernstein offers a rare look at her father on the centennial of his birth in her deeply intimate and evocative new book, FAMOUS FATHER GIRL: A Memoir of Growing Up Bernstein. The program will include some Leonard Bernstein songs, performed by members of Lyric Opera's Resident Artist and Young Artist programs, that underline the passion and the compassion of this great American composer. Afterward, Ms. Bernstein will sign copies of her book, which will be available for purchase at the event through Rainy Day Books. Ms. Bernstein's high res headshot is available upon request. West Side Story artist headshots, bio and set renderings can be found here.

BroadwayWorld checked in with Benanti, who exclusively told us: 'I have been singing 'I Could Have Danced All Night' since I was 4 years old. That I will get to play this role on Broadway, in this production, with this cast is truly a dream come true.'

As BroadwayWorld reported this morning, Tony Award winner Laura Benanti will assume the role of Eliza Doolittle in its award-winning production of Lerner & Loewe's MY FAIR LADY, directed by Bartlett Sher, for a limited engagement beginning Tuesday, October 23 and currently scheduled through Sunday, February 17, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater (150 West 65 Street).

Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Andre Bishop) has announced that Tony Award winner Laura Benanti will assume the role of Eliza Doolittle in its award-winning production of Lerner & Loewe's MY FAIR LADY, directed by Bartlett Sher, for a limited engagement beginning Tuesday, October 23 and currently scheduled through Sunday, February 17, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater (150 West 65 Street). Lauren Ambrose, who originated the role in this production, will play her final performance on Sunday, October 21st before leaving to begin work on M. Night Shyamalan's upcoming Apple series.

West Side Story, directed by Enrique Gasa Valga, will be opening October 3, 2018.

The BBC Proms concert of West Side Story was presented this week in conjunction with the centennial celebration of composer Leonard Bernstein.

The streets of Pittsfield, (more precisely Barrington Stage Co's Boyd Quinson Mainstage on Union Street) became the streets of 1957 New York City as one of the greatest Broadway Shows of all times, West Side Store had it's opening night performance.  Nowadays you don't have gangs fighting on Pittsfield streets but you do have theater goers fighting to get into the many productions of Barrington Stage Co. and the sold out season at Mr. (Bill) Finn's Cabaret.

Ever since it was announced that iconic director Stephen Spielberg would be helming a remake of the musical classic WEST SIDE STORY, speculation has run rampant attempting to dreamcast the star-crossed lovers at the center of the story. In March, Tony winner Ben Platt shared his audition video to play Tony, and now a New York radio host is reporting that former star of pop group Fifth Harmony, Camila Cabello will soon officially be announced for the role of Maria. 

Considered one of the finest works ever brought to the stage, The Muny's production of GYPSY starring Beth Leavel is now on stage! In this photo feature, check out exclusive photos from behind the scenes at the world's largest musical theatre - including stunningly detailed shots of the production. 

Gypsy, revered by many as the greatest musical ever written, is currently playing at the Muny. Check out a video of the cast singing 'Together Wherever We Go' below!

The grandest of all of America's grand outdoor theaters has opened Gypsy. In its one hundredth season the MUNY in St. Louis brings us one of their very finest productions. It's certainly one of the best musical theater offerings I've ever seen.