Tony Award-winning librettist and director Arthur Laurents will participate in a talkback following the February 23 performance of the Guthrie Theater and The Acting Company's co-production of Romeo and Juliet at the Baruch Performing Arts Center. Penny Metropulos has directed the production, which runs February 19-27.

Laurents is currently represented on Broadway with his revival of West Side Story, a musical update of Shakespeare's play. Among his other credits are the 2008, 2003, and 1975 revivals of Gypsy. In addition to penning the book for West Side Story and Gypsy, he has contributed to musicals such as La Cage aux Folles and Do I Hear a Waltz? and written plays such as Home of the Brave and The Time of the Cuckoo.

Sonny Valicenti and Laura Esposito play the title roles in a company that also features Hugh Kennedy (Benvolio), Elizabeth Stahlmann (Nurse/Samson), William Sturdivant (Mercutio/Prince), Christine Weber (Lady Capulet), Jamie Smithson (Paris/Abraham), Isaac Woofter (Tybalt/Apothecary), Chris Thorn (Capulet), Jesse Bonnell (Gregory/Friar John), Raymond L. Chapman (Friar Laurence), Jason McDowell Green (Montague/Peter), and Myxolydia Tyler (Lady Montague/Balthasar).

For further information, visit: www.guthrietheater.org.