The festival is named, of course, after the author of the naturalistic classics Bus Stop, Picnic and Come Back, Little Sheba.
Laurents is the prolific dramatist best know for the librettos for Gypsy and West Side Story. Plays include Home of the Brave,, his first, The Time of the Cuckoo, which is probably his best known, and more recent works like Jolson Sings, Attacks on the Heart, Claudia Lazlo, Venecia and 2 Lives.
Laurents and Inge were friends.
Laurents will receive the festival's Distinguished Achievement in American Theatre Award. The weekend will include "Arthur's Turn: a Musical Celebration of the Works of Arthur Laurents."
To reserve tickets call (620) 331-4100, ext. 4207, or (800) 842-6063 ext. 4207.
