Norman, Marsha (1947-…), an American playwright, won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for drama for ‘night, Mother (1982). The emotional and somber play describes the last night in the life of an unhappy woman who tells her mother she plans to end her own life. Norman had previously gained praise for another grim and realistic drama, Getting Out (1977). It portrays the struggle of a woman on parole from prison as she seeks a new life. Norman won a 1991 Tony Award for her book (script) for the musical The Secret Garden. She also wrote the lyrics for the show’s songs. Norman wrote the book for the musical The Color Purple (2005).
Marsha Williams was born on Sept. 21, 1947, in Louisville, Kentucky. She was married to Michael Norman, a teacher, from 1969 to 1974. Marsha Norman established herself as a playwright with Getting Out, her first produced work. Her other plays include Circus Valentine (1979), Traveler in the Dark (1984), Sarah and Abraham (1988), D. Boone (1992), and Last Dance (2003). Norman wrote the screenplay for the motion picture ‘night, Mother (1986). She also wrote a novel, The Fortune Teller (1987).
