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Arthur Laurents

ARTHUR LAURENTS

  (1918 - 2011)
Nationality:    USA
email:    n/a     Website:    n/a

Literary Agent:    William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC  

arthur Laurents (arthur Levine), playwright, screenwriter and director, born 14 July 1917; died 5 May 2011. arthur Laurents - Guardian Obituary >>>

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below is a list of Arthur Laurents's plays - click on a Play Title for more information

         Anyone Can Whistle         Bird Cage, The         Clearing In the Woods, A         Come Back, Come Back, Wherever You Are         Do I Hear A Waltz?         Enclave, The         Gypsy         Hallelujah, Baby!:         Heartsong         Home Of the Brave         Invitation To A March         Jolson Sings Again         Loss Of Memory, A         Madwoman Of Central Park West, The         Nick And Nora         Radical Mystique, The         Scream         Time Of the Cuckoo         Two Lives         West Side Story

Anyone Can Whistle

Anyone Can Whistle
a town is so broke that the council will consider anything to make money. One day a small girl and her mother arrive. the girl licks a bolder and water pours out of it. a miracle. the town is saved.

Notes:
Music by Stephen Sondheim; Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; Book by Arthur Laurents

1st Produced:
Majestic Theater, New York    1964

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Rodgers & Hammerstein, NY,    -

Music:
Original cast recording: Columbia ( CK-2480) 1964

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  2            Other:  extras

Further Reference:

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Bird Cage, The

Synopsis:
a Dramatic tale of a hardboiled owner of a night club, the Bird Cage, in which not only the owner but all the employees symbolise a phase of metropolitan life which is both ironic and tragic.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Coronet Theatre. New York    22 Feb 1950

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Dramatists Play Service, NY,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  8            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Clearing In the Woods, A

Clearing In the Woods, A
With the help of her psychiatrist a depressed woman looks back over her life to see if she can pinpoint the moment that it started

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Belasco Theatre, New York    10 Jan 1957

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Random House, New York, 1957   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Come Back, Come Back, Wherever You Are

Come Back, Come Back, Wherever You Are
Come Back, Come Back, Wherever You are, a play by the widely-acclaimed, Tony award-winning theatre legend arthur Laurents, is an intimate, emotional Drama about a cabaret singer coping with the devastating death of her husband, while trying to navigate her overbearing, controlling mother-in-law and the aggressive advances of a sexually persistent, handsome, new suitor. Recently widowed Sara must comes to terms with her husband's death but is haunted by visions of him. Her fixation on his posthumous messages dampens her historically lukewarm relationship with Marion, her therapist mother-in-law, who is disturbingly pragmatic about the passing of her son. Sara's grief is also altered by Michelle, her under-appreciated sister-in-law, who is struggling both with her sexual identity and her relationship to her deceased brother. all is complicated by Dougal, a picture framer who is struck by the earnest Sara. Come Back, Come Back, Wherever You are is a gripping Drama about grief and the ability of a family to cope with loss. But at its heart, it is a play about love

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Do I Hear A Waltz?

Do I Hear A Waltz?
In a Dolce Vita era Venice, a plucky American secretary, takes a vacation. Romance is in the air.

Notes:
Music by Richard Rodgers; Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; Book by Arthur Laurents; Based on the play "the Time of the Cuckoo" by Arthur Laurents

1st Produced:
46th Street Theater, New York, NY    1965

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
Original cast recording: Sony (SK-48206) 1965

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Enclave, The

Synopsis:
a group of friends have bought and renovated a row of houses and plan to move in as a group. One of their number has kept a secret from them - he is gay and is going to bring his much younger boyfriend too.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Washington D.C.    1973

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Dramatists Play Service, NY, 1974   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Gay, theme/character full length

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Gypsy

Gypsy
Rose with her two young daughters June and Louise tour American vaudevilles. the girls have an act centring on June with a backing group of boys. Rose has big ambitions for the girls. She persuades Herbie to become their manager. Vaudeville is in decline and as the girls grow up venues are closing. One of the boys shows June an act he has been working on and asks her to be part of it. they elope and start up on their own. Rose now makes Louise the centre of the act - but she replaces the boys with girls. One day they arrive at a venue to find they have been booked into a burlesque show. Louise says that as they are being paid they should go on with the booking. Rose realises that they have reached an end and accepts Herbie's proposal they get married at the end of the run. the lead stripper gets arrested - Rose says that Louise should take her place. Horrified Herbie leaves for good. Louise does go on but only removes a glove - the audience goes wild. This becomes the basis of Louise's act - never take everything off - leave them wanting more. She now restyles herself as Gypsy Rose Lee and ditches her mother. Rose is left embittered knowing that she herself could have been a star

Notes:
Book by Arthur Laurents; Music by Jule Styne; Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; Based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee

1st Produced:
Broadway Theatre, NY    21 May 1959

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Tams-Witmark, 757 Third avenue, New York, NY 10017,    -

Music:
Original cast recording: Sony (SK60848) 1959

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Hallelujah, Baby!:

Hallelujah, Baby!:
During the Depression Georgina wants to become a singer. Her mother advices her that afro-Americans should know their place and she should stay being a maid. But she does try and after the Second World War she has fought prejudice and racism and become a famous night club singer. Her fiance back at the start of her career was a railway porter and is now a civil rights activist

Notes:
Music by Jule Styne; Lyrics by Adolph Green And Betty Comden; Book by Arthur Laurents

1st Produced:
Martin Beck Theatre, NY    1967

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
Original cast recording: Sony (48218) 1967

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Heartsong

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
New Haven, Ct    -

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Home Of the Brave

Synopsis:
a group of American soldiers volunteer for a dangerous mission to a Japanese-occupied island. One soldier develops a complex because he convinces himself that he has failed in his duty to a dying buddy. He imagines that being a Jew and the victim of prejudice in his own group is that fact responsible for his "cowardice." Under pressure of a tense situation, he becomes partially paralyzed so that he cannot walk. He is put under medical care, and with the help of his doctor and fellow soldiers, he is brought to realize that he and his comrades are essentially "just guys," with no difference determined by blood or religion. He recovers and faces the world with confidence.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Belasco Theatre, New York    27 Dec 1945

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Dramatists Play Service, NY,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Invitation To A March

Invitation To A March
Setting: the South Shore of Long Island, summertime

Notes:
Written by Arthur Laurents; Incidental music by Stephen Sondheim

1st Produced:
Music Box Theatre, New York    28 Oct 1960

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Random House, New York, 1961   978-0394406015

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Jolson Sings Again

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Loss Of Memory, A

Synopsis:
an American tourist is picked up by an Israeli. the American's older self remembers the event.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Southampton, New York    1981

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
in "Best Short Plays 1983", Chilton, Radnor, Pennsylvania, 1984   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play One act. - - Gay, one act

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Madwoman Of Central Park West, The

Madwoman Of Central Park West, The
a woman tries to tidy up her bedroom whilst writing lists of things to do, having fights with her teenage daughter and reminiscing

Notes:
written with Phyllis Newman, music by Peter Allen, Leonard Bernstein And others, from play My Mother Was A Fortune Teller by Newman

1st Produced:
Buffalo    1979

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
Original cast recording: DRG (5212) 1979

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Nick And Nora

Nick And Nora
Nick and Nora Charles are in Hollywood to attend a friend's wedding. after the service they are approached by an old school friend of Nora's Tracy who is an actress. She wants Nick to investigate a murder - the director of her new movie has been arrested. Nick declines as he is retired - but Nora takes up the case. Nick does not think she will be able to do it - but tags along as her assistant.

Notes:
Music by Charles Strouse; lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr; book by Arthur Laurents

1st Produced:
Marquis Theater, New York    1991

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
Original cast recording: TeR (1191) 1990

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Radical Mystique, The

Synopsis:
New York of the late 60's when "radical chic" was in vogue a party to aid the Black Panther's Self Defence fund presents problems

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    -

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 1996   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Scream

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Houston Tx    1978

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Time Of the Cuckoo

Synopsis:
elderly secretary on holiday in Venice finds man is married, face to face with the difference between American and european view of morality she seethes with conflict, she can have a short love affair if she chooses

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Empire Theatre, New York    15 Oct 1952

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, NY,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Two Lives

Synopsis:
Matt Singer, a playwright and his long term partner Howard Thompson a landscape gardener are celebrating Howard's birthday. But tragedy strikes.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    -

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Gay, full length

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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West Side Story

West Side Story
Two rival gangs - the Jets and the Sharks. at the school dance Maria who is the sister of the leader of the Sharks meets Tony who is associated with the Jets and they fall in love - but gang rivalry means there wont be a happy outcome

Notes:
Book by Arthur Laurents; Music by Leonard Bernstein; Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

1st Produced:
Winter Garden Theatre, NY    26 Sep 1957

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Heinemann, London, 1959   -

Music:
Original Broadway cast: Sony (32603) 1957

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical Tragedy Musical

Parts:
Male:  22            Female:  12            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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