'West Side Story' Playwright Arthur Laurents Dies

By Kelly Fisher Posted May 6th 2011 06:25AM

It's a sad day on Broadway. Arthur Laurents, the playwright behind the iconic musicals 'West Side Story' and 'Gyspy,' has passed away.

According to the New York Times, Laurent died Thursday from pneumonia complications at his Manhattan home. He was 93.

Though his work can be found across many genres, Laurents spent the majority of his career -- 65 years -- writing and directing plays, and did so up until just two years ago.

After several less successful endeavors, his big break came in 1957 with 'West Side Story,' his new spin on the classic 'Romeo and Juliet' story. Laurents took his play to composer Leonard Bernstein and lyricist Stephen Sondheim and together they created the unforgettable Broadway hit.

"What we really did stylistically with 'West Side Story' was take every musical theater technique as far as it could be taken," Laurents wrote in his 2009 memoir, 'Mainly on Directing: 'Gypsy,' 'West Side Story' and Other Musicals.' "Scene, song and dance were integrated seamlessly; we did it all better than anyone ever had before."

In 1959, Laurents created another musical, 'Gypsy,' which many consider one of Broadway's best. Laurents was also involved in the direction of several successful revival shows of 'Gypsy' after its initial premiere.

Laurent's first novel, 'The Way We Were,' was published in 1972 and he wrote the screenplay for the romantic 1973 film starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford.

After dabbling in film, Laurent spent his last decades involved with various other plays and musicals. His last play, 'Come Back, Come Back, Wherever You Are,' premiered off-Broadway in the spring of 2009.

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Comments

(11)

Friday 06 May

By tony

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wonderful work mr.laurents,r.i.p.

By bobby cormier

one of my faves. so long arthur. you know, you made a lot of people happy and entertained.

By Mike

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I love West Side Story because it's about how all the white people and white policemen hated and tried to get rid of the PuertoRican gangs plaguing white neighborhoods! Good work Mr. Laurents!

By mitchell

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if this is what you actually believe West Side Story is about, you are really missing the boat.
Arthur Laurents, RIP, with gratitude for the plays you wrote and directed and for your amazing autobiography "Original Story By", a brilliant chronicle of a life in the theatre as lived by a gay man in mid 20th century NYC.

By MANUEL

How much pay these Kardashiasn to be in the media every day being three Dumbos?

wrong article dude.

By kencayetruitt

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REST IN PEACE ARTHUR LAURANTS.....A WELL LIVED LIFE I THINK

By fobesq

Bless you dear Arthur......thank you and the gods for your genius and for so many years of enjoyment.

By Hazelnut

Thanks for your great work and artistic contribution to New York City and humanity.

By Mark

West Side Story was the 1st musical I ever saw (in '57 when I was 12) & it's what got me hooked on musicals for my entire life...!! Sat in the 3rd row, saw the sweat, heard the breathing close up & was hooked...!!! Thanks for a lifetime gift. I'm sure you affected many others....WELL DONE..RIP.

By Tuula

WSS... a fabulous, number one musical.I have seen the movie countless times, in a theatre 4 times as a play , have and know all of the music, have the very skinny book, the LP from a Broadway musical, fabulous, the best. I am still in love with George Chakiris...

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