Marsha Norman
Marsha Norman: A Life of Passionate Storytelling
Full Name and Common Aliases
Marsha Norman is a renowned American playwright, lyricist, and novelist. Her full name is Marsha Estelle Norman.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on February 3, 1947, in Louisville, Kentucky, Norman is still active in her profession and has not passed away.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Norman's nationality is American, and she is a celebrated playwright, lyricist, and novelist. Her work spans multiple genres, including plays, musicals, and novels, showcasing her versatility as an artist.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a family of modest means in Louisville, Kentucky, Norman developed a passion for storytelling from an early age. She was raised by her mother, who encouraged her love for words and imagination. This nurturing environment helped shape Norman's creative voice and fueled her desire to become a writer. As she grew older, Norman's interest in theater led her to attend the University of Louisville and later the University of Michigan.
Major Accomplishments
Throughout her illustrious career, Norman has achieved numerous accolades for her work. Some notable achievements include:
Tony Awards: Norman has won two Tony Awards, one as a playwright for "'Night, Mother" (1983) and another as a lyricist for the musical "The Secret Garden" (1991).
Pulitzer Prize: She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1984 for "'Night, Mother."
Drama Desk Awards: Norman has received multiple Drama Desk Award nominations throughout her career.Notable Works or Actions
Norman's notable works include:
"Night, Mother" (1983): A play that premiered on Broadway and received critical acclaim. The story revolves around a mother-daughter relationship and explores themes of identity, family dynamics, and the complexities of human relationships.
"The Secret Garden" (1991): A musical adaptation of the classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Norman's work as lyricist helped bring this timeless tale to life on stage.Impact and Legacy
Marsha Norman's impact on the world of theater is profound. Her work has touched audiences worldwide, tackling complex themes with sensitivity and depth. As a pioneering female playwright, she has paved the way for future generations of women in the industry. Norman's legacy extends beyond her own writing; she continues to inspire new voices and stories.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Marsha Norman is widely quoted or remembered due to her:
Innovative storytelling: Her work often explores themes that were previously unaddressed on stage, making her a trailblazer in the world of theater.
Emotional resonance: Norman's stories have a way of resonating deeply with audiences, creating lasting connections between people and the characters she creates.
Prolific output: With a body of work spanning multiple genres, Norman has left an indelible mark on the literary world.
In conclusion, Marsha Norman is a testament to the power of creative expression. Her life's work continues to captivate audiences and inspire new generations of writers and artists.
Quotes by Marsha Norman
Marsha Norman's insights on:
After I won the Pulitzer, there was this sense of, 'OK, that's enough for you. Now go away.' What I wanted was to keep writing, keep working. But no one would produce anything of mine they didn't think would be as big as 'night, Mother.'
How can I get up everyday knowing you had to kill yourself to make it stop hurting and I was here all the time and I never even saw it. And then you gave me this chance to make it better, convince you to stay alive and I couldn’t do it. How can I live with myself after this, Jessie?
I never said I knew much. How was I supposed to learn anything living out here? I didn’t know enough to do half the things I did in my life. Things happen. You do what you can about them and you see what happens next.
Why do you have to know so much about things, Jessie? There’s just not that much to things that I could ever see.
In the theater, when people hear that you’re writing a play, they want to know what it’s all about, whether there’s a role for them. You write it fairly quickly, and it becomes a group activity before you’re really ready to have company.
What’s so good about a heaven where, one of these days, you’re going to get your embarrassing old body back?
No. You can’t. And I can’t do anything either, about my life, to change it, make it better, make me feel better about it. Like it better, make it work. But I can stop it. Shut it down, turn it off like the radio when there’s nothing on I want to listen to. It’s all I really have that belongs to me and I’m going to say what happens to it. And it’s going to stop. And I’m going to stop it. So. Let’s just have a good time.
There are things that music can do that language could never do, that painting could never do, or sculpture. Music is capable of going directly to the source of the mystery. It doesn’t have to explain it. It can simply celebrate it.
There are days when I think the National Endowment for the Arts should issue a quota system for the production of plays by women – especially when you realize women buy 70 percent of all theater tickets.