Arthur Laurents

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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Arthur Laurents BIO

Arthur Laurents was a renowned American playwright, screenwriter, and director who was born on July 14, 1917, in Brooklyn, New York. He was a prominent figure in the entertainment industry for over six decades and was widely regarded as one of the most influential playwrights of his generation.

Laurents began his career in the theater as an assistant to playwrights such as Robert E. Sherwood and Moss Hart. He made his Broadway debut as a playwright in 1945 with the play "Home of the Brave," which dealt with anti-Semitism in the military. The play was a critical and commercial success and established Laurents as a major talent in the theater world.

In 1957, Laurents wrote the book for the musical "West Side Story," which was a collaboration with composer Leonard Bernstein and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. The show was a modern retelling of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" set in the streets of New York City. It was a groundbreaking work that tackled issues of race, immigration, and gang violence. The show was a critical and commercial success and won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Laurents continued to work in the theater throughout the 1960s and 1970s, writing and directing several successful plays and musicals. In 1968, he wrote the book for the musical "Hallelujah, Baby!," which was a collaboration with composer Jule Styne and lyricist Betty Comden and Adolph Green. The show was a satirical look at the civil rights movement and won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Laurents continued to work in the theater as a director, directing several successful revivals of classic musicals. In 1983, he directed a revival of "La Cage aux Folles," which was a collaboration with composer Jerry Herman and lyricist Harvey Fierstein. The show was a critical and commercial success and won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival.

Laurents also worked extensively in film and television throughout his career. He wrote the screenplays for several successful films, including "The Way We Were" (1973), which starred Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford, and "The Turning Point" (1977), which starred Shirley MacLaine and Anne Bancroft. He also directed several films, including "The Way We Were" and "The Turning Point."

In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Laurents was also a political activist who was involved in several social and political causes. He was a vocal supporter of gay rights and was an active member of the Democratic Party.

Laurents continued to work in the theater until his death on May 5, 2011, at the age of 93. His most recent work was a revival of his play "West Side Story," which opened on Broadway in 2009. The production was directed by Laurents himself and was a critical and commercial success.

Arthur Laurents Photos

Arthur Laurents Productions

 
[Regional (US), 2018]
Book
 
[US Tour, 2010]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2009]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Director
 
[New York, 2004]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1996]
Creative Consultant
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1991]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1989]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1987]
Director
Director
 
[West End, 1986]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1983]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1982]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1979]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1974]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1973]
Director
 
[West End, 1973]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1964]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1962]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1960]
Director

Writing

Playwright
Playwright
Source Material
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter

Arthur Laurents Movies

Rope
[ 1948 ] writer
Home of the Brave
[ 1949 ] writer
Caught
[ 1949 ] writer
Anna Lucasta
[ 1949 ] writer
Anastasia
[ 1956 ] writer
Bonjour Tristesse
[ 1958 ] writer
West Side Story
[ 1961 ] writer
The Way We Were
[ 1973 ] writer
The Turning Point
[ 1977 ] producer

Arthur Laurents Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama League Awards - 2009 - Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Arthur Laurents

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

Arthur Laurents, West Side Story

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

Arthur Laurents, Gypsy

Tony Awards - 2008 - Best Direction of a Musical

Arthur Laurents, Gypsy

Helen Hayes Awards - 1990 - Outstanding Director, Non-Resident Production

Arthur LaurentsGypsy


winner
Tony Awards - 1984 - Best Direction of a Musical

Arthur Laurents, La Cage aux Folles


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1975 - Outstanding Director - Musical

Arthur Laurents, Gypsy

Tony Awards - 1975 - Best Direction of a Musical

Arthur Laurents, Gypsy

Tony Awards - 1960 - Best Musical

Arthur Laurents, Gypsy

Arthur Laurents Videos

Arthur Laurents News


Houston Grand Opera Reveals 2024-25 Season

Houston Grand Opera has announced its 2024-25 season, featuring a spectacular, new, season-opening production of Il trovatore; the return of charming, family-friendly Cinderella, classic tragedy La bohème, and blockbuster musical West Side Story; Houstonians’ first-ever chance to see award-winning opera Breaking the Waves; and a lushly beautiful new production of Tannhäuser.

Shereen Pimentel and Brenton Ryan To Lead WEST SIDE STORY At Houston Grand Opera; Full Season Announced

Houston Grand Opera has announced its 2024-25 season, which includes a concert presentation of the Broadway masterpiece, West Side Story, led by Broadway's Shereen Pimentel and tenor Brenton Ryan.

Patti LuPone & More to Join Atlantic Theater Company 2024 Gala

Atlantic Theater Company will present their 2024 Gala on Monday, April 29, 2024 at The Plaza. See who is taking part and learn how to purchase tickets.

Pittsburgh CLO Announces WEST SIDE STORY And More For 2024 Summer Season

Pittsburgh CLO has your summer mapped out promising an array of captivating productions across the city's Cultural District. Pittsburgh CLO continues their long-standing commitment of creating Broadway caliber shows made by Pittsburgh, for Pittsburgh, and in partnership with Pittsburgh.

WEST SIDE STORY, GYSPY & More Set for OFC Creations Theatre 2024-25 Season

OFC Creations Theatre has revealed its 2024-25 season, featuring six professional musical productions directed by Eric Vaughn Johnson. See the lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.

ALADDIN & More Lead Seattle's Spring 2024 Top Theatre Shows

Seattle is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Selections for Spring 2024 include Aladdin​​​​​​​ and more.

TOCANDO NUESTRA CANCI�"N y GYPSY comienzan sus audiciones

El Teatro del Soho Caixabank ha comenado en Madrid las audiciones para los dos próximos musicales dirigidos por Antonio Banderas que llegarán a Málaga este año, y GYPSY.

Patti LuPone to Perform at Young People's Chorus of NYC's Gala Concert and Benefit Dinner

Young People’s Chorus of New York City will present its annual gala in March, featuring Patti LuPone. Learn how to purchase tickets.

GYPSY to be Presented at The Lee Strasberg Institute in March

The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute will present Gypsy: A Musical Fable. Learn performances dates and see how to purchase tickets.

THE LOOK OF LOVE Comes to BAM Next Month

Mark Morris will team up again with musical collaborator Ethan Iverson for The Look of Love, a wistful and heartfelt homage to the chart-topping songs of Burt Bacharach which premiered to acclaim in 2022 at the Kennedy Center.

Video: First Look at Jodie Prenger in GYPSY at the Opera House Manchester

An all new video is giving a first look at Jodie Prenger as Rose ahead of a new one-night concert version of Gypsy, at the Opera House, Manchester on Sunday 25th February. Check out the video here!

Eisemann Center to Present PATTI LUPONE: A LIFE IN NOTES in March

Eisemann Center Presents will continue the 2023-2024 Season with Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes next month. Learn more about the concert featuring the legendary 3-time Tony Award winner here!

Patti LuPone & More to Perform at Mayo Performing Arts Center in March

Mayo Performing Arts Center has unveiled its March lineup featuring Patti LuPone and more. See who is performing and learn how to purchase tickets!

Full Cast and Creative Team Set For Hope Mill Theatre's GYPSY Fundraising Concert

Hope Mill Theatre has revealed the full cast that will be joining the already-announced Jodie Prenger in a new one-night concert version of Gypsy, at the Opera House, Manchester on Sunday 25th February.

Review: IBSEN'S GHOST at George Street Playhouse-A Hilarious Must-See

Are you ready for some good laughs and great entertainment?  That’s just what you’ll find at George Street Playhouse (GSP) with their current production of Ibsen’s Ghost. 

ANN TALMAN: ELIZABETH TAYLOR AND THE SHADOW OF HER SMILE to Play Brunch Performance at Laura Beechman Theatre

Light the candles! Get the ice out! The Laurie Beechman Theatre will present a special brunch matinee performance on Sunday, February 25 at 2pm of Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and The Shadow of Her Smile. 

Rialto Chatter: Audra McDonald to Star in GYPSY Revival Next Season

Everything's coming up Audra! Sources say Audra McDonald will be taking on the iconic role of Mama Rose in a revival of Gypsy during the 2024-2025 season. 

Charles Busch, Judy Kaye, Jen Cody & More to Star in IBSEN'S GHOST at George Street Playhouse

George Street Playhouse in association with Primary Stages has revealed the complete cast for IBSEN’S GHOST: An Irresponsible Biographical Fantasy, a new play written by and starring Tony Award nominee Charles Busch.

Arthur Laurents FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Arthur Laurents written?

Arthur Laurents has written 18 shows including Home of the Brave (Playwright), The Bird Cage (Playwright), The Time of the Cuckoo (Playwright), A Clearing in the Woods (Playwright), West Side Story (Bookwriter), Gypsy (Bookwriter), Invitation to a March (Playwright), Anyone Can Whistle (Bookwriter), Do I Hear a Waltz? (Source Material), Hallelujah, Baby! (Bookwriter), The Enclave (Playwright), The Madwoman of Central Park West (Bookwriter), Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Bookwriter), Nick & Nora (Bookwriter), The Radical Mystique (Playwright), Angela Lansbury - A Celebration (Playwright), The Time of the Cuckoo (Playwright), The Light in the Piazza (Bookwriter).

What awards has Arthur Laurents been nominated for?

Arthur Laurents has been nominated for several prestigious awards throughout his career, including the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing from the Drama League Awards, Outstanding Director of a Musical from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "West Side Story" and "Gypsy," Best Direction of a Musical from the Tony Awards for "Gypsy" and "La Cage aux Folles," Outstanding Director, Non-Resident Production from the Helen Hayes Awards for "Gypsy," and Outstanding Director - Musical from the Drama Desk Awards for "Gypsy." Additionally, "Gypsy" received nominations for Best Direction of a Musical and Best Musical at the Tony Awards.

What awards has Arthur Laurents won?

Arthur Laurents has won the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing at the Drama League Awards, the Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "La Cage aux Folles," and the Outstanding Director - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Gypsy."

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