Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
#1Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Posted: 5/5/09 at 1:07pm
Poor Arthur. He re-imagined his very own masterpiece musical WEST SIDE STORY and was snubbed of a direction nomination in favor of the director of an 80s rock jukebox musical. 
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
#2re: Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Posted: 5/5/09 at 1:08pmMy heart bleeds.
Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#3re: Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Posted: 5/5/09 at 1:13pmDoesn't there have to be a human there to deserve our pity.
#4re: Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Posted: 5/5/09 at 1:16pmWhile I don't think "Rock of Ages" deserves to be in the "Best Direction" category I don't feel Arthur deserves to be there either.
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
Ed_Mottershead
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/20/05
#6re: Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Posted: 5/5/09 at 1:41pm
I've gotta say I feel a bit of satisfaction. He re-imagined a classic musical in part by dumbing down the iconic dancing. I hope this snub is a commentary by the Broadway community on the dangers of hubris.
Updated On: 5/5/09 at 01:41 PM
wickedrentq
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/6/04
#7re: Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Posted: 5/5/09 at 1:43pmHappy Happy Joy Joy...
"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli
#8re: Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Posted: 5/5/09 at 2:52pmAs Mary Rodgers said, "Call me when he's dead."
#9re: Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Posted: 5/5/09 at 2:53pmHe was mean to my Bernadette...I have no pity for that meanie queenie.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
#10re: Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Posted: 5/5/09 at 2:54pmPoor Arthur. Poor, poor Arthur. No really. I wanted to see him ge nominated. It's like seeing the living incarnation of Monty Burns when he's on television and I'm a pretty big Simpsons fan.
#11re: Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Posted: 5/5/09 at 2:56pmGlad they didn't acknowledge him with a nomination.
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
A Director
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/18/07
#13re: Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Posted: 5/5/09 at 3:06pm
Oh, dear! What a pity! Never mind!
Too bad Sam Mendes didn't direct a musical this season. It would have killed Laurents if Mendes got nominated.
Bet his play New Year's Eve won't be coming to Broadway.
#14re: Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Posted: 5/5/09 at 3:09pmI feel pity...so much pity..
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
#15re: Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Posted: 5/5/09 at 3:17pm
I always thought he would be able to die happy if he received the Tony nom and the award for destroying what Jerome Robbins created.
Now I guess he'll never die. We're stuck with him for all eternity.
Ed_Mottershead
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/20/05
#16re: Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Posted: 5/5/09 at 3:31pmHe's just plain nasty. The ONLY reasons Gypsy won awards last year was because of LuPone, Gaines and Benanti -- not for anything Laurents contributed. And I'll wager they would have been just as good without Laurents and would have won anyway.
BroadwayEd
sanda
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/10/04
Shannon Bo Dannon
Broadway Star Joined: 8/19/08
#19re: Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Posted: 5/5/09 at 3:35pm
He's alive and well and probably kicking because he failed to get a Tony nomination for WSS.
It's ever so sad. Do you have a tissue.
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
#20re: Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Posted: 5/5/09 at 3:38pm
I thought his direction was excellent and I honestly feel for him. He deserved to be among the nominees for Best Director of a Musical.
I'm seeing the show for the fourth time tonight...and really looking forward to it.
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#21re: Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Posted: 5/5/09 at 3:40pm
ROCK OF AGES' direction was the most amateurish directorial job on Broadway in years. While Laurents may not have been worthy of being nominated, if the crappy direction of ROA can get nominated, then Laurents definitely deserved a nod.
But it is what it is. Laurents will just have to settle with WEST SIDE being a huge cash cow...not too shabby for a 91 year old.
#22re: Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Posted: 5/5/09 at 3:43pmHe ruined the revival of WSS. I felt more emotion when I watched the film, this production is lacking everything the musical about. He ruined Robbin's beautiful masterpiece just because he hated Robbins.
I'm a professional. Whenever something goes wrong on stage, I know how to handle it so no one ever remembers. I flash my %#$&.
"Jayne just sat there while Gina flailed around the stage like an idiot."
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#23re: Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Posted: 5/5/09 at 3:43pmHe don't need our pity. As Laura enthused last year, "Arthur! You're standing up!!!"
Twitter @NamoInExile
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#24re: Arthur Laurents Pity Thread
Posted: 5/5/09 at 3:59pm
As I said in another thread, Arthur shouldn't have gotten a Tony nomination for his direction of West Side Story.
He should have gotten 50-to-life.
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