Arthur Levine (July 14, 1917 – May 5, 2011), professionally known as Arthur Laurents, was an American playwright, screenwriter, stage director, and author. He wrote the books for two of Broadway's most celebrated musicals, West Side Story (1957) and Gypsy (1959), and later directed several acclaimed stage revivals. His screenwriting credits include Rope (1948), Anastasia (1956), The Way We Were (1973), and The Turning Point (1977). Laurents was one of the most influential voices in American theatre, known for his character-driven storytelling and lasting impact on the Broadway musical.