Elliot Norton Headshot

Elliot Norton

Date of Death: July 20, 2003 (100)

Birth Place: Boston, MA, USA

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Elliot Norton was a renowned American theater critic and writer who made significant contributions to the development of theater criticism in the United States. Born in Boston in 1903, Norton grew up in a family that valued the arts and culture, and he developed a passion for theater at a young age.
Norton began his career as a journalist in 1926, writing for the Boston Post and later for the Boston Herald. He quickly gained a reputation as a knowledgeable and insightful critic, and his reviews were widely read and respected by both theater professionals and audiences. In 1958, Norton was appointed the theater critic for the Boston Evening Transcript, a position he held until the paper's closure in 1975.
Throughout his career, Norton championed the work of new and emerging playwrights and directors, and he was a strong advocate for diversity and inclusivity in the theater. He was also a vocal critic of censorship and worked to defend the artistic freedom of theater artists.
In addition to his work as a critic, Norton was also a prolific writer and commentator on the theater. He authored several books, including "The Theater in Spite of Itself" and "The True Story of the Theatre," and he was a frequent contributor to publications such as The New Republic and The Nation.
Norton's contributions to the theater were recognized with numerous awards and honors, including a Tony Award for Excellence in Theatre in 1976 and the George Jean Nathan Award for Dramatic Criticism in 1978. He was also inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 1983.
Elliot Norton passed away in 2003 at the age of 100, but his legacy as a pioneering theater critic and advocate for the arts lives on. His writing and criticism continue to be studied and admired by theater professionals and enthusiasts alike, and his contributions to the development of theater criticism in the United States are widely recognized and celebrated.
Overall, Elliot Norton was a visionary and influential figure in the world of theater criticism, and his contributions to the field continue to be felt today. His commitment to championing new and diverse voices in the theater and defending the artistic freedom of theater artists remains an inspiration to all who value the power and importance of the arts.

Elliot Norton Awards and Nominations


winner
Tony Awards - 1971 - Special Tony Award

Elliot Norton

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Actors' Shakespeare Project Reveals Titles For 2024-25 Season


Actors’ Shakespeare Project has announced its mainstage titles for their 2024-25 Season, each from one of the most celebrated writers in the English language: Jane Austen, August Wilson, and William Shakespeare.

Two World Premieres & More Set for Center REP 24-25 Season


Center Repertory Company has unveiled its 57th season—an extraordinary lineup of six works to be presented September 2024 through June 2025. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Center REP Announces ARSENIC AND OLD LACE And More for 2024-25 Season Including World Premieres & More


Discover the upcoming 2024-25 season at CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY, featuring two World Premieres, a queer interpretation of a classic, and an EGOT winner's fireside chat. Also, learn about their new audience initiatives.

Varla Jean Merman To Play Catalina Jazz Club This Month


Drag icon and award-winning singer and comedienne Varla Jean Merman is set to bring her new show Stand By Your Drag to Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood for one show only on Tuesday, April 23, at 8:30pm, it was announced by Catalina and Chris Isaacson Presents.

Heidi Blickenstaff, GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY And More Honored At 41st Annual Elliot Norton Awards


Discover the winners of the 41st Annual Elliot Norton Awards, celebrating excellence in the Boston theater scene. Stay updated with BroadwayWorld's latest news.

Varla Jean Merman Will Bring STAND BY YOUR DRAG to TheaterWorks Hartford


TheaterWorks Hartford will present international drag superstar and petty criminal Varla Jean Merman in her hit comedy cabaret Stand By Your Drag.

Phoenix Theatre Ensemble To Present METAMORPHOSIS, An Immersive Experience


Join Phoenix Theatre Ensemble for their limited run of METAMORPHOSIS, an immersive experience inspired by Franz Kafka's classic novella. Created by PTE Company Members Clara Francesca & Leo Lion, catch the performances at KafkaTech at Studio Exhibit Photography Studios.

BWW Q&A: Ellen McLaughlin on AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY at Repertory Theatre of St. Louis


Finishing out The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis’ 2023/24 Season is the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning powerhouse drama, August: Osage County by acclaimed contemporary playwright Tracy Letts.

Video: Luis Alfaro & Jon Fosse Deliver International World Theatre Day Message 2024


The Global Theater Initiative is inviting all theatres, individual artists, institutions, and audiences to celebrate the 62nd annual World Theatre Day on March 27, 2024.

Meet the Cast of PATRIOTS, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway


The Almeida Theatre production of Patriots officially begins previews on Broadway tonight, April 1. Meet the cast of Patriots here!

Apollinaire Theatre Company Will Present TOUCHING THE VOID Beginning Next Month


Based on Joe Simpson’s bestselling memoir turned BAFTA-winning film, David Greig’s thrilling adaptation charts this astonishing feat of human endurance. Life-affirming and often darkly funny, Touching the Void takes the audience on an epic adventure that asks how far you’d be willing to go to survive.

Elliot Norton Winners Kiki Samko & Victor Shopov Star In Lanford Wilson's BURN THIS With Hub Theatre


Elliot Norton winners Kiki Samko and Victor Shopov take center stage in Hub Theatre Company's production of BURN THIS by Lanford Wilson. The show runs at the Boston Center for the Arts Black Box Theatre from April 6-21, 2024.

FSU/Asolo Conservatory For Actor Training Presents An Unconventional ROMEO AND JULIET


FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training will present an unconventional Romeo and Juliet. This unique interpretation promises to captivate audiences with its innovative approach.

​​​​​​​Hub Theatre Company of Boston Presents BURN THIS By Lanford Wilson


Elliot Norton winners Kiki Samko and Victor Shopov lead the cast in Hub Theatre's production of BURN THIS by Lanford Wilson. The play, a funny exploration of life and loss, runs at the Boston Center for the Arts Black Box Theatre, April 6-21, 2024.

Full Cast and Creative Team Revealed For GUN & POWDER at Paper Mill Playhouse


Paper Mill Playhouse has announced the full cast and creative team for the new musical Gun & Powder. Learn more about the team here!

Shakespeare & Company to Present The Art Of The Audition Workshop In NYC


Shakespeare & Company's Center for Actor Training will hold a one-day acting workshop titled The Art of the Audition, led by Artistic Director Allyn Burrows. Learn more about the workshop and see how to register.

Full Broadway Cast Set For PATRIOTS, Starring Michael Stuhlbarg, Will Keen, and More


The full Broadway cast has been announced for the Almeida Theatre production of Patriots, the new play by Peter Morgan. Learn more about the show and find out who is starring here!

Giles Terera and Michael Benz Complete the Cast of POWER OF SAIL at Menier Chocolate Factory


The Menier Chocolate Factory has announced that Giles Terera and Michael Benz join the cast of the European première of Paul Grellong's Power of Sail, directed by Dominic Dromgoole. Performances run 20 March – 12 May.

Elliot Norton Winners Kiki Samko & Victor Shopov Star In Lanford Wilson's BURN THIS With Hub Theatre


Elliot Norton winners Kiki Samko & Victor Shopov star in Lanford Wilson's Burn This with Hub Theatre. The show will run Saturday, April 6, through Sunday, April 21, 2024, with performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and on Sundays at 2:00 pm at The Boston Center for the Arts Black Box Theatre.

Elliot Norton FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Elliot Norton been nominated for?

Elliot Norton has been nominated for the Special Tony Award at the Tony Awards.

What awards has Elliot Norton won?

Elliot Norton has won the Special Tony Award at the Tony Awards.

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