Famous playwright Arthur Laurents died in his Manhattan home from pneumonia complications on Thursday at 93.

After several unlucky years, Laurents got his big break in 1957 with West Side Story, his take on the classic tale of Romeo & Juliet. He joined composer Leonard Bernstein and lyricist Stephen Sondheim to create one of the best musicals of our time.

He went on to write the musical Gypsy in 1959, which is my favorite and considered to be one of Broadway’s best. The musical has been revived multiple times, earning many Tony Awards.

His first novel, The Way We Were, was published in 1972. He wrote the screenplay for the romantic film, which starred Robert Redford and Barbara Streisand, in 1973.

Laurents kept writing up until two years ago. His last play Come Back, Come Back, Wherever You Are premiered off-Broadway in the spring of 2009.

What a sad day for the Broadway community. You will be missed, Arthur!

[image: WENN]