NEW INTERVIEW: Arthur Laurents is responsible for the success of WICKED...

[Pgenre]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 5:36pm

... amongst MANY other things, according to him, as revealed in today's UK Guardian.

Get out your claws, kitties.

P
MEOW!

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 5:49pm

For those who don't want to have to read through all of it:

When the script for the musical Wicked was in development, the producers came to Laurents for advice. He told them they didn't know what the show was about. "They said, yes, it's about Oz. I said no it isn't. I said it's about the friendship of two girls. I said start tracking that. That whole thing made the show an enormous success."



...Jesus.

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 5:51pm

But really, I think that walking without help after 90 is an achievement. You can't take him that seriously.

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 5:59pm

God this man thinks he is the theatre God. Maybe he should go see that piece of s*** he has playing 8 times a week at the Palace. He has ruined many aspects of WSS.

[fgreene1938]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 5:59pm

The author of the Guardian article also credits Larents as the librettist for "La Cage au Folles", which is incorrect. It was Harvey Fierstein. More credit for Arthur, I guess.

[kchenofan]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 6:04pm

"God this man thinks he is the theatre God."
Not JUST the theatre God...He's God! Or so he thinks.

But seriously, he's 93! He's lucky he still gets out of bed every morning.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 6:06pm

fgreene- lack of good reporting from the Guardian aside, have you read "Mainly on Directing"? Laurents basically takes credit for the libretto of La Cage Aux Folles, as well.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 6:08pm

He's a nut. And I love it.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 6:50pm

Arthur has written the two most entertaining autobiographies about theatre - or showbusiness - that I have ever read.

He also wrote the book for the two greatest musicals of all time.

He is also the bitchiest and bitterest queen alive.

All hail the queen.

... and, in the end, does the truth really matter?

P

[wickedlover94]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 6:51pm

this guy is so full of himself. i dont think he really had any impact on the show, or its success.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 7:16pm

There is only one essential truth you need to know about Arthur Laurents:

Of the four creators of West Side Story, three are geniuses, one is not. The one who is not is Arthur. The rest of his life follows from that unbearable truth.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 7:19pm

That said...the song "Popular" probably would not have been written if he had not suggested a late-night dormitory scene between the two girls.

[morosco]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 7:26pm

Ugh. Why does he always have to bring up sex? Creepy.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 8:46pm

On the recent Broadway LA CAGE revival:
"I think they went out of their way to find the ugliest drag queens in New York City. And they got them."

And he likes the West End one even less!

On Sondheim:
"He's wrong."

On ANYONE CAN WHISTLE at Encores!:
"I will not be involved. Casey Nicholaw is very talented. I would rather he just did what he saw... I don't feel like going back to the past. I don't think you should do a revival unless you have a fresh approach."

On Adam Guettel announcing 2 new projects:
"Yes. Let's see them."

And for the Karen Olivo fans:

Karen Olivo on Arthur:
"The sweetest man you are bound to meet"

Arthur on Karen:
"Karen Olivo is an extraordinary person. I think she's just wonderful."

And the Tony morning e-mail story was truly lovely.

Over an HOUR of Arthur (2 parts) starting at the link below!

P
MEEEEOOOOW Updated On: 8/3/09 at 08:46 PM

[Lumen2]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 8:49pm

Bitch needs to sit down, because he honestly thinks he's more talented than he really is.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 9:13pm

He is also responsible for Nick & Nora.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 9:22pm

Silly old Arthur
Updated On: 8/3/09 at 09:22 PM

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 9:27pm

I freaking love you, Jordan!! You have maid me laugh my face off today!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 9:39pm

Arthur has written the two most entertaining autobiographies about theatre - or showbusiness - that I have ever read.

Then I suggest you read a few more.

Start with ACT ONE by Moss Hart and, for the second, find yourself a copy of HELL OF A LIFE by Maureen Stapleton.

But Arthur's two books are nothing but the poorly written ravings of an monomaniacal sociopath.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 9:48pm

PalJoey, that's no way to talk about your friend!

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 9:49pm

So here is what I have:

I will point out the faults of others, in the most biting language I can find.
I don't want to say any more, I don't want to cause more trouble.
I will sometimes think of the best way to phrase a discontent I have with someone or something.
In life, honesty is everything.
I will throw in small, bitchy discontents about others at random moments ("...the producers of the Broadway run [of GYPSY] didn't like the new ending.")
Except for the ones who work intimately with me, everyone who works with me loves me.

I don't understand. Who is this man? Is it purely sociopathic? How can I reconcile all of these contradictions in one person?

[Pgenre]

Posted: 8/4/09 at 12:57am

Arthur is one of the greats. We must treasure him while we may. Or... whatever.

P

P.S. "Then I suggest you read a few more. "-PalJoey - You can keep your suggestions, along with everything else, lover. Updated On: 8/4/09 at 12:57 AM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/4/09 at 12:58am

"the poorly written ravings of an monomaniacal sociopath."

Which reminds me, anybody know what's coming up at Xenia Highschool this fall?

[wickedfan]

Posted: 8/4/09 at 1:13am

"Arthur is one of the greats."
Great whats?

[Pgenre]

Posted: 8/4/09 at 1:18am

""Sing the words, Patti!!!!" Stephen Sondheim to Patti LuPone"

GYPSY, WEST SIDE STORY, heard of them?

Of course it's crazy and bitchy... that's what makes it fun!

And I think the WICKED revelations, both Arthur's and PalJoey's are fascinating especially now that the rumors are veritably confirmed. I suppose his other rumored suggestions are true as well. Axes, grinding or about to be grinding, notwithstanding.

Or is it ground? Six feet under.

P