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Marsha Norman

Birth Place: Louisville, KY, USA

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Marsha Norman 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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Marsha Norman Productions

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

Writing

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Marsha Norman 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

Marsha Norman Videos

Marsha Norman News


TheatreWorks Reveals Lineup For 2024-25 Season of World and Regional Premieres, Commissions, and More


TheatreWorks Silicon Valley has announced its 54th season—a lineup of works to be presented October 2024 through July 2025. Learn more about the full lineup here!

Video: First Look At Theater Latté Da's Production Of THE COLOR PURPLE


Get a first look at THE COLOR PURPLE, running now through May 5 at Theater Latté Da. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Marsha Norman, with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, THE COLOR PURPLE is a stirring family chronicle following the inspirational Celie as she journeys from childhood through joy and despair, anguish and hope, to discover her own unique voice and place in the world.

Pittsburgh CLO Announces Three New Programs To Make Theater More Family Accessible


Pittsburgh CLO is implementing changes to make theater more accessible for families. Discover how they're removing barriers and promoting inclusivity in the world of Broadway.

Nashville Repertory Theatre's Stellar 39th Season Continues With Superb Prooduction of THE COLOR PURPLE


Led by a bravura performance from Carli Hardon, Nashville Repertory Theatre’s production of The Color Purple – the musical based on the beloved Alice Walker novel – is yet another extraordinary success from the professional company in the midst of its 39th season. Directed with complete self-assurance and confidence by Reggie Law, with evocative and energetic choreography by Joi Ware and the musical direction of Dion Treece that results in one of the most emphatically sung shows in Nashville Rep history.

MOONSHOT By Herbert The Cow Productions To Premiere At spit&vigor's Tiny Baby Blackbox Theater


Catch the premiere of MOONSHOT by Herbert the Cow Productions at spit&vigor's tiny babak blackbox theater. Explore a dystopian future where a family must confront extremist ideologies before a government-sanctioned apocalypse.

THE PRODUCERS & More Set for The Delray Beach Playhouse 2024-2025 Season


Explore the 2024-2025 season at the Delray Beach Playhouse, featuring top-tier performers, classic musicals, comedy, and nostalgia. Don't miss this exciting lineup of entertainment.

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival Receives Grant To Celebrate Multiple Summer Programs


The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival has received a grant from Air Products, enabling it to celebrate multiple summer programs.

World Premiere & More Set for Actors Theatre of Louisville 2024-25 Season


Actors Theatre of Louisville has revealed its 2024-25 season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Helen Hunt-Led BETRAYAL & More Set for Goodman Theatre 2024/25 Season


The Goodman Theatre has revealed its 2024/25 season! See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Ella Dershowitz & Jill Eikenberry to Star in TWO HANDER World Premiere at NJRep


New Jersey Repertory Company will continue its 27th Season with the world premiere of Two Hander by Julia Blauvelt. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Review: THE COLOR PURPLE at Theater Latte Da


What did our critic think of THE COLOR PURPLE at Theater Latte Da?

Lortel Theatre Announces Recipients of 5th Annual NYC Public High School Playwriting Fellowship


Lucille Lortel Theatre recognizes the recipients of its 5th Annual NYC Public High School Playwriting Fellowship, celebrating the city's young and talented playwrights.

Finalists Announced For 2024 Steinberg�"ATCA New Play Award


Learn about the finalists for the 2024 Steinberg-ATCA New Play Award, announced by the American Theatre Critics Association.

Pittsburgh CLO Announces WEST SIDE STORY And More For 2024 Summer Season


Pittsburgh CLO has your summer mapped out promising an array of captivating productions across the city's Cultural District. Pittsburgh CLO continues their long-standing commitment of creating Broadway caliber shows made by Pittsburgh, for Pittsburgh, and in partnership with Pittsburgh.

Ember Women's Theatre Presents 'NIGHT MOTHER by Marsha Norman


Explore the captivating performance of 'NIGHT MOTHER by eMBer Women's Theatre. This compelling drama promises to engage audiences with its powerful storytelling and remarkable acting.

Christopher Durang to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at 2024 Dramatists Guild Awards


Playwright Christopher Durang is the recipient of The Dramatists Guild's 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. Learn more about Durang and about the award!

Sandra Oh, Ann Harada & More to Star in THE WELKIN at Atlantic Theater Company


The complete cast has been revealed for the American premiere of The Welkin, written by Lucy Kirkwood and directed by Sarah Benson at Atlantic Theater Company. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Rehearsals Now In Progress For Theater Latté Da Production Of THE COLOR PURPLE Opening In March


THEATER LATTÉ DA begins rehearsals for THE COLOR PURPLE, the Broadway musical adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, opening on March 23, 2024.

John Douglas Thompson & Nicole Ari Parker to Lead Red Bull Theater's ANTONY & CLEOPATRA


RED BULL THEATER has revealed updated casting for the next offering of a new season of OBIE Award-winning Revelation Readings: Antony & Cleopatra by William Shakespeare. See who is starring!

Sigourney Weaver, David Hyde Pierce & More to Reunite for VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE


Bartlett Sher will direct a staged reading of Christopher Durang’s Tony Award-winning play VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE, featuring original cast members. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets!

Marsha Norman 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?

Marsha Norman has been nominated for several prestigious awards throughout her career. These nominations include Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Bridges of Madison County," Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "The Color Purple," and Outstanding Book of a Musical and Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Secret Garden." Additionally, she received nominations for Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, Best Original Score at the Tony Awards, and Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards, all for "The Secret Garden." Norman was also nominated for Best Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "'night, Mother," and she won The Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the same play. Furthermore, she received nominations for Best Play at the Tony Awards for "'night, Mother" and the John Gassner Playwriting Award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Getting Out."

What awards has Marsha Norman won?

Marsha Norman has won several awards, including the Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for The Secret Garden, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Night, Mother, and the John Gassner Playwriting Award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Getting Out.

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