Tom Hatcher News

First reported by Deadline.com was the sad news that legendary director and writer Arthur Laurents has passed away at 93 years old, dying in his sleep. The Los Angeles Times has added a short statement from Jonathan Lomma, Laurents' agent at William Morris Agency who confirmed his death Thursday, saying that 'he died earlier this evening, peacefully in his sleep, at his home in New York City, after a short illness.' I the video above, watch as Laurents goes behind the recent 2009 revival of WEST SIDE STORY.

First reported by Deadline.com was the sad news that legendary director and writer Arthur Laurents has passed away at 93 years old, dying in his sleep. The Los Angeles Times has added a short statement from Jonathan Lomma, Laurents' agent at William Morris Agency who confirmed his death Thursday, saying that 'he died earlier this evening, peacefully in his sleep, at his home in New York City, after a short illness.'

The Trustees of The Laurents/Hatcher Foundation, Inc. are pleased to announce that THE SUBMISSION by JEFF TALBOTT has been selected for the 2011 LAURENTS / HATCHER FOUNDATION AWARD.

According to the NY Times, Broadway's Arthur Laurents and partner, Tom Hatcher have awarded playwright Jeff Talbott their first Laurents-Hatcher Award. Talbott, an actor who's play THE SUBMISSION will make its off- Broadway debut at MCC Theatre this year, will receive a $150,000 prize.

The Trustees of The Laurents/Hatcher Foundation, Inc are proud to announce the LAURENTS / HATCHER FOUNDATION AWARD, an annual prize to be given for an un-produced, full-length play of social relevance by an emerging American playwright. The foundation will provide a $50,000 cash award to the selected playwright and a grant of $100,000 to go directly towards the production costs of the play's premiere at a nonprofit theatre.

Although he's 91 years old, Arthur Laurents, author of the books for GYPSY and WEST SIDE STORY as well as the original director of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, continues to create. Currently, the revival of WEST SIDE STORY is running on Broadway and is being met with much success. Laurents is a theater veteran, and one who isn't afraid to say what's on his mind.