Marsha Norman

Marsha Norman (b. 21 September 1947) is an American playwright. Norman won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her play 'night, Mother. She has also written the book and lyrics for the Broadway musicals The Secret Garden and The Red Shoes as well as the libretto for the upcoming musical The Color Purple.

Early life

Norman was born into a Christian fundamentalist household in Louisville, Kentucky. As a child she was not allowed to play with other children nor watch television or movies and this solitary childhood is sometimes credited with providing the inspiration to become a writer. Norman was, however, allowed to read, play the piano and visit the theatre where she viewed productions by the Actor's Theatre of Louisville. After graduating from Agnes Scott College with a degree in philosophy, she began working as a journalist for the Louisville Times newspaper.

Related Topics:
Christian fundamentalist - Louisville, Kentucky - Television - Movies - Piano - Theatre - Actor's Theatre of Louisville - Agnes Scott College - Philosophy - Journalist - Louisville Times

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On a suggestion from Jon Jory, the director of the Actor's Theatre of Louisville, Norman wrote her first play Getting Out. The play deals with a young female serving an eight year prison sentence for robbery, kidnapping and manslaughter. Her experience working with disturbed adolescents at the Kentucky Central State Hospital.

Related Topics:
Jon Jory - Getting Out - Robbery - Kidnapping - Manslaughter - Kentucky

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Norman's success with Getting Out led her to move to New York City where she continued to write for the Actor's Theatre of Louisville and she produced a full length play, Circus Valentine in 1979. He next work, 'night, Mother would be her seminal work.

Related Topics:
New York City - Circus Valentine - 1979 - 'night, Mother

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