Arthur Laurents Videos

Watch a sneak preview of Eric Abraham and The Fugard Theatre's timeless musical production of WEST SIDE STORY, which will return to the Artscape Theatre Centre in 2018 following two seasons in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Sixty years ago today, on September 26th, 1957, WEST SIDE STORY opened on Broadway and went on to become one of the best-loved musicals of all time. In honor of its 60th anniversary, watch a selection of scenes from the show below!

It all began tonight! On this day in 1957, West Side Story celebrates its opening night at the Winter Garden Theater!

Get a behind the scenes look at GYPSY, playing at the John W. Engeman Theatre on Long Island through October 29!

Leonard Bernstein was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He took piano lessons as a boy and attended the Garrison and Boston Latin Schools. At Harvard University, he studied with Walter Piston, Edward Burlingame-Hill, and A. Tillman Merritt, among others. Before graduating in 1939, he made an unofficial conducting debut with his own incidental music to 'The Birds,' and directed and performed in Marc Blitzstein's 'The Cradle Will Rock.' Then at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, he studied piano with Isabella Vengerova, conducting with Fritz Reiner, and orchestration with Randall Thompson. 

Welcome to BroadwayWorld's Tony Award Countdown: 30 Days of TONY, a loving look at some of the most memorable moments from Tony's history featuring today's nominees!

On this day in 1999, Richard Chamberlain and Laura Benanti joined the cast of the Broadway revival of The Sound of Music as the new Captain Von Trapp and Maria Rainer, succeeding Michael Siberry and Rebecca Luker in the roles. The two continued in the roles through the production's closing on June 20. 1999, after 533 performances.

November 25 - December 1 on Thirteen/WNET, WLIW/21, CUNY TV & NYCLife/25 Favorite guest Harvey Fierstein returns to THEATER TALK to bring co-hosts Michael Riedel of the New York Post and Susan Haskins up to speed about HAIRSPRAY LIVE

When West Side Story was created in 1957, it was considered a modern retelling of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. How would the story differ in today's context? Below check out an awesome modern interpretation the 'Cool' scene, as just released by Los York.

The Hollywood Bowl has enlisted some top Broadway talent for the Los Angeles Master Chorale's concert presentations of WEST SIDE STORY this summer. Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel July 14, through July 19, the cast features Jeremy Jordan as Tony, Karen Olivo, who won a Tony Award for her take on the role in the 2009 Broadway revival, as Anita and newcomer Solea Pfeiffer as Maria.

Happy Birthday Arthur Laurents! Laurents' first play, Home of the Brave, opened on Broadway in 1945, followed by many others. He wrote his first musical, West Side Story, in 1957, followed by Gypsy and others. His first screenplay was The Snake Pit in 1948, followed by others including Rope, Anastasia, The Way We Were and The Turning Point. His own play, Invitation to a March in 1960, was the first of several he directed. I Can Get It for You Wholesale in 1961 was the first musical he directed, followed by others including La Cage aux Folles and Gypsy with Angela Lansbury, then Tyne Daly and most recently, Patti LuPone. He pased away in May 2011.

Paper Mill Playhouse presents Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's classic musical West Side Story, directed by Paper Mill Playhouse's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee and Jerome Robbins' original choreography recreated by Alex Sanchez.

Paper Mill Playhouse will present Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernsteinand Stephen Sondheim's classic musical West Side Story, directed by Paper Mill Playhouse's Producing Artistic DirectorMark S. Hoebee andJerome Robbins' original choreography recreated by Alex Sanchez. West Side Story is based on a conception by Jerome Robbins and features a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Paper Mill Playhouse will present Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernsteinand Stephen Sondheim's classic musical West Side Story, directed by Paper Mill Playhouse's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee andJerome Robbins' original choreography recreated by Alex Sanchez. West Side Story is based on a conception by Jerome Robbins and features a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernsteinand lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Today in 1959, Gypsy opened at the Broadway Theatre, where it ran for 702 performances. Gypsy is a musical with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. It follows the dreams and efforts of Rose to raise two daughters to perform onstage and casts an affectionate eye on the hardships of show business life. The musical contains many songs that became popular standards, including 'Small World,' 'Everything's Coming up Roses', 'Some People', 'Let Me Entertain You', and 'Rose's Turn'.

Laura Benanti has been here before. The five-time Tony nominee (and one-time winner) has dazzled critics and audiences alike this season for her portrayal of 'Amalia' in the Roundabout revival of She Loves Me. Below, she explains why she's excited to be movin' on up to the 'Leading Actress' category!

Next up in the Encores! season is Do I Hear a Waltz?, the romantic, rarely-seen 1965 musical that marked the only collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim. Do I Hear a Waltz? will star Claybourne Elder, Melissa Errico, Sarah Hunt, Zachary Infante, Cass Morgan, Richard Poe, Michael Rosen, Sarah Stiles, and Richard Troxell. The ensemble includes Kristine Bendul, Paloma Garcia-Lee, Jenny Laroche, Jennifer Locke, Nathan Madden, Skye Mattox, Devin Roberts, Manny Stark, and Alex Wong.

What's not to love about the four leads of Roundabout Theatre Company's glorious revival of SHE LOVES ME? Laura Benanti, Zachary Levi, Jane Krakowski and Gavin Creel just took part in SAG-AFTRA Foundation and BroadwayWorld.com's Conversations Q&A series, celebrating the vibrant theatre community in New York City and the actors who aspire to have a career on the stage and screen. Below, watch as the costars dish on what happens on and offstage at Studio 54!

Today in 2008, the fourth Broadway revival of Gypsy opened at the St. James Theatre, where it ran for 332 performances. Gypsy is a musical with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. It follows the dreams and efforts of Rose to raise two daughters to perform onstage and casts an affectionate eye on the hardships of show business life. The musical contains many songs that became popular standards, including 'Small World,' 'Everything's Coming up Roses', 'Some People', 'Let Me Entertain You', and 'Rose's Turn'.

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.