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Marsha Norman

Birth Place: Louisville, KY, USA

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BIO

Marsha Norman is an American playwright, screenwriter, and novelist. Born on September 21, 1947, in Louisville, Kentucky, Norman grew up in a family of women who were all storytellers. Her mother, sister, and grandmother all shared a love of literature and storytelling, which inspired Norman to pursue a career in writing.



Norman attended Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, where she earned a degree in philosophy in 1969. After graduation, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in writing. She worked odd jobs to support herself while she wrote plays and submitted them to theaters.

Norman's breakthrough came in 1980 with her play "Getting Out," which tells the story of a woman who has just been released from prison and is trying to start a new life. The play was a critical and commercial success and earned Norman the John Gassner Playwriting Award.

Norman's next play, "The Holdup," premiered off-Broadway in 1982. The play explores the relationship between a young woman and her father, who is a bank robber. "The Holdup" was not as successful as "Getting Out," but it established Norman as a playwright with a unique voice.

Norman's most famous play, " 'night, Mother," premiered on Broadway in 1983. The play tells the story of a woman who announces to her mother that she plans to commit suicide that evening. The play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play.

In addition to her work in the theater, Norman has also written for film and television. She wrote the screenplay for the 1985 film "The Color Purple," which was based on the novel by Alice Walker. The film was directed by Steven Spielberg and starred Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Danny Glover. Norman's screenplay was nominated for an Academy Award.

Norman has also written for television. She wrote the screenplay for the 1995 television movie "The Gift," which starred Mary Steenburgen and had a score by Bob Dylan. She has also written for the television series "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

In addition to her work as a playwright and screenwriter, Norman has also written novels. Her first novel, "The Fortune Teller," was published in 1995. Her second novel, "The Birds of Paradise," was published in 1998.

Norman has received numerous awards and honors for her work. In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, she has been awarded the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, the Hull-Warriner Award, and the Drama Desk Award. She has also been inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame.

Norman's most recent work is the play "Last Dance," which premiered off-Broadway in 2019. The play tells the story of a woman who is dying of cancer and her relationship with her daughter. "Last Dance" was well-received by critics and audiences alike.

Marsha Norman's contributions to the theater, film, and television industries have made her one of the most respected and celebrated writers of her generation. Her ability to tell stories that are both poignant and powerful has earned her a place in the pantheon of great American writers.

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Productions

 
[West End, 2022]
Book & Lyrics
 
[Broadway, 2005] [Replacement]
Book Writer[Replacement]

Writing

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Bookwriter
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Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Marsha Norman, The Bridges of Madison County

Tony Awards - 2006 - Best Book of a Musical

Marsha Norman, The Color Purple

Drama Desk Awards - 1991 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Marsha Norman, The Secret Garden

Drama Desk Awards - 1991 - Outstanding Lyrics

Marsha Norman, The Secret Garden

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1991 - Best Musical

Marsha Norman, The Secret Garden


winner
Tony Awards - 1991 - Best Book of a Musical

Marsha Norman, The Secret Garden

Tony Awards - 1991 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Marsha Norman, The Secret Garden

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1983 - Best Play

Marsha Norman, 'night, Mother


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 1983 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Marsha Norman, Night, Mother

Tony Awards - 1983 - Best Play

Marsha Norman, Night, Mother


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1979 - John Gassner Playwriting Award

Marsha Norman, Getting Out

Videos

News


Review: THE COLOR PURPLE at The Black Theatre Troupe

The Black Theatre Troupe's production of THE COLOR PURPLE is a rousing and emotionally powerful show, thanks to a brilliant cast and the keen direction of Karen Davis Jones and the musical direction of Brenda Hankins.
David Rasche and Mare Winningham Complete the Cast of CULT OF LOVE at Second Stage

David Rasche and Emmy Award winner, Academy Award and Tony Award nominee Mare Winningham will star in Leslye Headland’s CULT OF LOVE at Second Stage Theater. See who else is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
Review: PRIMARY TRUST at Signature Theatre

Primary Trust is a touching, intimate, and deeply affecting work. The 2024 Pulitzer Prize-winner is making its Washington-area premiere at Signature Theatre in an outstanding production directed by Obie Award winner Taylor Reynolds.
Photos: First look at Curtain Players' THE SECRET GARDEN: THE MUSICAL

Orphaned Mary Lennox, a ten year old English girl born and raised in India, is sent to the moors of Yorkshire, England, to live with a brooding uncle she has never met, on an estate that seems to be locked in the past. There, she finds her personality blossoming among the other residents of the estate as they bring new life to a long-neglected garden.
Appalachian Center For The Arts Announces 2024-2025 Vitality New Play Commissions

The Appalachian Center for the Arts has announced its 2024-2025 Vitality New Play Commissions. Five nationally-recognized playwrights are writing new plays for The App's Vitality Touring Theatre Company, which presents plays and musicals on health and wellness topics for elementary school through adult audiences.
Heather Headley and Ben Platt Will Join Jason Robert Brown at Carnegie Hall

Tony and Grammy Award-winning artists Heather Headley and Ben Platt will join three-time Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown for his Carnegie Hall solo concert debut on October 25, 2024, at 8:00 PM.
THE COLOR PURPLE & More Set for Black Theatre Troupe 2024-25 Season

Black Theatre Troupe has revealed its 2024-25 lineup, marking its 55th season! See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.
PARTICLE FEVER Musical in Development By David Henry Hwang

A new musical, Particle Fever, based on the 2013 documentary film about the largest scientific experiment ever undertaken, is currently in development. The musical is written by David Henry Hwang, includes new music and lyrics by Bear McCreary and Zoe Sarnak, is directed by Leigh Silverman, and produced by Megan Kingery and Annie Roney.
THE COLOR PURPLE at Sedos Features the First Ever All-Black Cast of An Amateur Musical in the UK

Sedos, London's leading amateur theatre company, has announced their cast of The Color Purple. This is a momentous and significant development in the diversity of amateur dramatics, not just in London but in the UK. In their 119-year history, Sedos has never had an all-Black cast nor an all-Black creative team, until now.
Jason Robert Brown Will Perform in Concert at Carnegie Hall In October

Three-time Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown will perform a special concert event at Carnegie Hall on October 25, 2024, at 8:00 PM. Learn more about the concert here!
Line Up Set for TheatreWorks' 2024 New Works Festival This August

Hundreds of lovers of new theatre will gather this August for an advance look at tomorrow's hits at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's 21st Annual New Works Festival, running August 9-18. See the full lineup here!
Theatre and Literature: Musical Adaptations of Classic Novels

Which classic books have been made for the stage? Check out the full list here!
Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren Will Lead First Broadway Production of THE LAST FIVE YEARS

Still hurting over the end of the Broadway season? BroadwayWorld has just learned that that singer, songwriter and actor Nick Jonas and Tony Award winner Adrienne Warren will return to Broadway to star as 'Jamie' and 'Cathy' in the first ever Broadway production of Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown's beloved THE LAST FIVE YEARS. We have all of the details!
Jeanine Tesori and Bess Wohl Join Dramatists Guild Council

Jeanine Tesori and Bess Wohl have joined The Dramatists Guild Council, the leadership team of the Guild.
The Adobe Theater Presents THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY Opening July 19

THE ADOBE THEATER will present THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, running from July 19 to August 11. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm, with an additional show on August 8.
Bebe Neuwirth, Huey Lewis, Jeremy Jordan, Set for Broadway Teachers Workshop

Celebrating its 24th year, the Broadway Teachers Workshop is an enormously popular three-day series of interactive workshops and seminars with prominent Broadway artists, tickets to four (4) hit shows, and post-show discussions with cast and crew.
Get an Advanced Look at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's 21st Annual New Works Festival

Hundreds of lovers of new theatre will gather this August for an advance look at tomorrow’s hits at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s 21st Annual New Works Festival.
Arts Garage in Delray Beach is Offering Two Theatrical Productions in June

Arts Garage will present two stirring and thought-provoking theatrical events next month. Learn more about them here!
Fulton Theatre to Present Concert Fundraiser of THE SECRET GARDEN

Fulton Theatre will present a concert of The Secret Garden on May 23rd, 2024 at 6:30pm. Learn how to purchase tickets.
New Village Arts Presents THE COLOR PURPLE

New Village Arts will present the San Diego Professional Premiere of the groundbreaking musical: THE COLOR PURPLE, based on the novel by Alice Walker.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Marsha Norman written?

Marsha Norman has written 12 shows including Getting Out (Playwright), night Mother (Playwright), The Secret Garden (Bookwriter), The Red Shoes (Bookwriter), Love's Fire: Fresh Numbers by Seven American Playwrights (Playwright), Trudy Blue (Playwright), Last Dance (Playwright), 'night, Mother (Playwright), Caraboo (Bookwriter), The Color Purple (Bookwriter), The Bridges of Madison County (Bookwriter), In Your Arms (Story).

What awards has Marsha Norman been nominated for?

Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Bridges of Madison County, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Color Purple, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Secret Garden, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for The Secret Garden, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for The Secret Garden, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Secret Garden, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for The Secret Garden, Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for 'night, Mother, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Night, Mother, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Night, Mother and John Gassner Playwriting Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Getting Out.

What awards has Marsha Norman won?

Marsha Norman has won the following awards: Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Secret Garden; The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for 'Night, Mother'; and the John Gassner Playwriting Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Getting Out.

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