Arthur Laurents News

Musicals at Richter (MAR), celebrating its 33rd season as the longest-running outdoor theater in Connecticut, continues its summer season with 'West Side Story,' the explosive musical retelling of the Romeo and Juliet story set against the backdrop of rival street gangs in 1950s New York City. Staged on the grounds of the Richter Arts Center in Danbury July 7 through 22, performances take place outdoors under the stars Today through Sunday evenings at 8:30 p.m., with additional specially discounted performances on Thursday, July 13 and 20.

From the first notes to the final breath, West Side Story is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time. Arthur Laurents' book remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim is widely regarded as one of the best ever written. The world's greatest love story takes to the streets in this landmark Broadway musical that is one of the theatre's finest accomplishments.

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern-day New York City in the breathtaking musical, WEST SIDE STORY which opens at the Ivoryton Playhouse on July 5th. With book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the original 1957 Broadway production ran for over 700 performances before going on tour, and garnered 6 Tony nominations.

Musicals at Richter (MAR), celebrating its 33rd season as the longest-running outdoor theater in Connecticut, continues its summer season with 'West Side Story,' the explosive musical retelling of the Romeo and Juliet story set against the backdrop of rival street gangs in 1950s New York City. Staged on the grounds of the Richter Arts Center in Danbury July 7 through 22, performances take place outdoors under the stars Friday through Sunday evenings at 8:30 p.m., with additional specially discounted performances on Thursday, July 13 and 20.

When Penguin Rep Theatre opens its month-long run of COBB, Lee Blessing's play about the legendary baseball player Ty Cobb, today, it will be exactly 40 years to the day since the enterprising company gave its first performance...

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern-day New York City in the breathtaking musical, WEST SIDE STORY which opens at the Ivoryton Playhouse on July 5th. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal!

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater has announced its complete 2017/18 which will kick off with Diana Oh's {my lingerie play} 2017: Installation #9: THE CONCERT AND CALL TO ARMS!!!!!!!!! this September, presented in association with Rosalind Productions, Inc., music by Diana Oh, co-directed by Stephanie Ryan Johnstone and Oh, with music direction by Ryan McCurdy. The mainstage season will continue in January 2018 with Dael Orlandersmith's UNTIL THE FLOOD and Mashuq Mushtaq Deen's DRAW THE CIRCLE will be presented in repertory.

Pocket Universe presents a new, all-female production of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, starring Alyssa May Gold (Arcadia on Broadway, Middle of the Night) as Brutus, Dea Julien (West Side Story 1st Nat'l Tour, Blueprint Specials) as Julius Caesar, Violeta Picayo (BEDLAM's Sense & Sensibility, RadioBABEL) as Mark Antony, Madeline Wolf (Fun Home on Broadway, Normativity) as Cassius, Miranda Cornell (Alter Ego, #Blessed) as Casca, and Amie Tedesco (Lemon Sky, Any Day Now) as Lucius. All other roles will be played by members of the company. The production will run through July 8, 2017 at the Access Theater Gallery Space. Opening night is tonight, June 23.

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern-day New York City in the breathtaking musical, WEST SIDE STORY which opens at the Ivoryton Playhouse on July 5th. With book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the original 1957 Broadway production ran for over 700 performances before going on tour, and garnered 6 Tony nominations.

CABRILLO MUSIC THEATRE presents one of the most beloved family friendly musicals of all time with the third and final show in its 2016-2017 season, PETER PAN, with music by Mark 'Moose' Charlap and Jule Styne, lyrics by Carolyn Leigh and Betty Comden and Adolph Green, based on J.M. Barrie's unforgettable story, musical direction by Dan Redfeld, choreography by Cheryl Baxter and direction by Yvette Lawrence. PETER PAN opens on Friday, July 14, 2017 and runs through Sunday, July 23, 2017 at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.   

Due to popular demand, the Arden Theatre Company announces a one-week extension of the musical GYPSY by Arthur Laurents, with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The show, originally scheduled to close on Sunday, June 18, will now close Sunday, June 25, 2017.

On July 12th, 6-7pm - International Goodwill Cultural Ambassador/performing artist Ronald Rand will be joined by legendary film star Brian Cox, stage and screen actress Nicole Ansari, one of America's greatest sculptors Carolyn D. Palmer, singer extraordinaire Julie Budd, Encompass New Opera Theatre artistic director Nancy Rhodes, Broadway and film director Michael Pressman, historian Louise Hirschfeld, and legendary portrait painter Everett Raymond Kinstler for an exciting panel discussion about creativity in film, theater, music and art at Barnes & Noble-Union Square, 33 East 17th Street, NYC.

Arden sticks with a winner casting Mary Martello as the perilous, unstoppable freight-train of stage mothers for their season closer.

West Side Story, is a perennial favorite, partly because it's inspired by Romeo and Juliet. The musical,  with concept and choreography by Jerome Robbins, book by Arthur Laurents, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and music by Leonard Bernstein,  debuted on Broadway 50 years ago and was most recently revived in 2009. 

Laura Benanti has announced her fall/winter 2017 tour dates for her solo show 'Tales from Soprano Isle,' including stops in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Palm Springs and Ohio.

Scottsdale Musical Theater Company has announced its full cast for its upcoming production of West Side Story, at Tempe Center for the Arts  (700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe AZ), August 17 - 20, 2017.

Phoenix Productions will present its revival of West Side Story at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank for a two-weekend run beginning July 14th.

A timeless classic, West Side Story tells the story of star-crossed lovers caught in a turf war between rival ethnic gangs, played out in the streets of Manhattan. Come sing along with the Grammy-winning score, which include classics 'Something's Coming,' 'Maria,' 'America,' 'Somewhere,' 'Tonight,' 'I Feel Pretty,' 'Jet Song,' and 'Cool.

Due to popular demand, the Arden Theatre Company announces a one-week extension of the musical GYPSY by Arthur Laurents, with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The show, originally scheduled to close on Sunday, June 18, will now close Sunday, June 25, 2017.

On Friday, June 9th, 2017, 5-7pm — a Special Book Event for “CREATE! How Extraordinary People Live To Create and Create To Live” — a new book by best-selling author, Ronald Rand — will be held at The Drama Book Shop, 250 West 40 Street in New York City.