Arthur Laurents était un dramaturge et scénariste américain dont les œuvres abordaient souvent des thèmes sociaux et politiques. Ses scénarios et pièces de théâtre se caractérisaient par des dialogues incisifs et un aperçu profond de la psyché humaine. Laurents était connu pour sa perspective critique sur la société américaine et ses stéréotypes. Son œuvre continue de résonner aujourd'hui par son intemporalité et son importance.
From playwright, screenwriter, and director Laurents comes a mesmerizing book about theater, art and the artist, the insider and the outsider--and the making of two of the greatest musicals of the American stage: "Gypsy" and "West Side Story."
Here is the original story of a true original, the celebrated and internationally renowned director, playwright and screenwriter Arthur Laurents, whose creative genius continues to energize American stage and screen today. Say his name, and images of West Side Story , Gypsy, Anastasia, The Turning Point , and The Way We Were appear. Laurents' highly praised memoir is a dazzling portrait of his life – as he recounts the great moments, the trials and the joys of his incredible career. He takes us into his world, peopled with the creative artists, directors, actors and personalities who came of age in the theatre and in Hollywood after WWII. Later, back in New York, he writes about jump-starting Barbra Streisand's career by casting her in I Can Get It for You Wholesale . He writes about the creation of Gypsy with Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim. And he writes about coming together in a complex, fraught collaboration with his three old pals, Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein and Sondheim for West Side Story . Throughout, Laurents is funny, fierce, and frank – a life recounted as richly as it was lived. “This is a historic work. A 'must' for show biz mavens.” – LIZ SMITH, Newsday & Syndicated
Arthur Laurents' autobiography reveals his multifaceted career, highlighting his contributions to theater and film. Known for iconic musicals like West Side Story and Gypsy, he also penned socially conscious plays and worked as a successful screenwriter and director. The narrative offers an engaging look at his experiences and insights, showcasing the evolution of his artistic journey and the impact of his work on American culture.
Příběh tohoto románu se odehrává na konci 2. světové války a těsně po jejím skončení. Hlavní hrdinka Katie Moroskyová, studentka na univerzitě v New Yorku, patří ke skupince angažovaných mladých lidí nekompromisně bojujících za své ideály. Odvážná a vznětlivá Katie prožívá milostný vztah s Hubbellem Gardinerem, člověkem s ležérním přístupem k životu, představující její úplný protipól. Po skončení univerzity se oba přestěhují do slunné Kalifornie a z Hubbella se záhy stává úspěšný scénárista. Nablýskaná atmosféra filmového studia je vynikající živnou půdou pro různé intriky. Nevraživost mezi kolegy zesílí po ustanovení Výboru pro neamerickou činnost a šíří se dokonce udavačství. Román je známým také ve filmové verzi, a to díky hvězdnému obsazení hlavních rolí Barbrou Streisand a Robertem Redfordem.
