RIP Arthur Laurents- Page 3

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 9:44pm

I'm just in shock because I didn't see it coming. Although he was a difficult man to work with, he was a good artist.

Question though: who will now hold the rights to his properties? I'm guessing it will be easier to get some project done now.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 9:46pm

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/06/arts/arthur-laurents-playwright-and-director-dies-at-93.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 9:52pm

Very, very sad to see such a legend go. Say what you want about his demeanor but his work changed the theater world forever.
Updated On: 5/5/11 at 09:52 PM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 9:54pm

Rest in Peace, Arthur Laurents.

My teacher, my mentor, my friend, my enemy.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 9:55pm

A toast to Arthur Laurents! A man who made our world of theatre a great one.

[binau]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 9:56pm

It's hard for me to believe that he really has died...

I feel happy for him that he did LuPone!GYPSY before he died.

I wonder how this will affect movie plans (love my insensitivity)

Updated On: 5/5/11 at 09:56 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 10:03pm

Bin Laden, Laurents... who will be the third? Gaddaffi?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 10:07pm

Gaddaffi is nowhere near Arthur's league.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 10:09pm

PJ, Have I told you lately, that I love you?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 10:10pm

I assume the lights will be dimmed tomorrow night?

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 10:15pm

RIP Arthur. He gave so much to the theater that I love.

I hope he gets an extended tribute on the Tonys.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 10:16pm

Dim 'em?

I think a lot of people would say "Push those dimmers up to FULL."

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 10:19pm

Only the good die young...

[Pippin]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 10:22pm

^ WINNING!

[NYadgal]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 10:33pm

The more I think about this - and think about his work - the more emotional I feel.

[bk]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 10:33pm

The really shocking thing, as always, is reading posts about how shocking it is that a ninety-three year old man died. Note to posters: Not shocking. And Mr. Laurents would vomit on the ground if he read some of these "oh, I'm shocked by this news" or "this is so devastating" - anyone who lives and works until he's ninety-three only needs posts lauding that achievement. Certainly posts from people eighty years his junior saying how "shocked" they are by this news is, well, Mr. Laurents would have amusing things to say.
Updated On: 5/6/11 at 10:33 PM

[A Director]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 10:36pm

"He truly shaped our modern definition of theater."

Based on some of the postings, I have to shake my head because the lack of knowledge about theatre history is shocking. Arthur Laurents did not shape our modern definition of theater and he was no visionary. There are many, both living and dead, who shape the modern definition of theatre and were visionary. Laurents never was in their league.

His book for West Side Story is the weakest part of the show. His book for Gypsy is very good. There are many other musicals with good books. His plays are so-so and are seldom revived.

I hope there will be a revival of West Side Story that restores everything Mr. Laurents removed.

Now that he's dead, perhaps people will start talking in public.

If Broadway lights are dimmed, it could be the first time there is a protest.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 10:41pm

I can think of no more fitting tone than Bruce Kimmel's patented Scolding Schoolmarm (tm).

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 10:52pm

The really shocking thing, as always, is reading posts about how shocking it is that a ninety-three year old man died. Note to posters: Not shocking.

^This.

Thanks, bk.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 11:13pm

Perhaps Arthur Laurents isn't THE most influential man in the American theater, but there is no denying that he is up there. He did some awful, terrible things to people and dishonored many of those who we worked with and who were better than him, but he still made a large impact and for that he deserves an honor.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 11:18pm

A large impact? Really? A Director pretty much sums up Laurents.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 11:22pm

Okay well we can agree to disagree. I find that Arthur Laurents contributed to shows and productions that were very influential to me as a theatergoer and helped solidify what I want to do in my life. So yes, I find him to have made a very large impact. Like I said, not the largest, but still significant. And that's how I see it. I completely understand what A Director says in terms of Laurents not being a visionary and perhaps that true, but his contributions to the work were important.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 11:24pm

Something that is true of a lot of artists is true of Arthur Laurents as well: the man and the art are not the same thing.

I think his contributions are to be acknowledged, treasured, and respected.

That needn't excuse his transgressions as a human being. But his art--his craft, if you prefer--is a different thing.

One man's opinion, of course.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 11:27pm

Some say Barbara Bush or one of the Koch brothers will be the third death.

[wicked1492]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 11:37pm

RIP Arthur Laurents. Thank you for writing and directing some of the most impactful, important shows of all time. And thank you forever and ever for GYPSY ?

The man just died...couldn't we show a little respect?