Lombard actress balances life, theater

Deanna Norman knows a good part when she sees it.

When offered the chance to play Ethel in a production of Ernest Thompson’s domestic drama “On Golden Pond,” the Lombard actress jumped at the chance.

“I don’t think any actress of my age would say no. It’s a fabulous part,” said Norman, of the role that earned Katharine Hepburn her fourth acting Oscar in 1982 for the film version that also starred Henry and Jane Fonda.

Better still, taking on the role means working with her longtime friend and colleague Jim Leonard, who plays the irascible patriarch, Norman Thayer. Leonard also directs the Paradise Productions’ revival which opens Friday, Sept. 23, at the Madison Street Theatre in Oak Park.

“Jim and I did plays years ago, and I mean years ago,” she said.

Paradise Productions artistic director Jillann Gabrielle met Deanna Norman when Norman attended a production featuring Gabrielle and Leonard.

“I knew her work,” Gabrielle said. “It was nice to formally meet her.”

Later, Gabrielle asked Leonard if he’d be interested in doing “On Golden Pond.” He agreed and suggested Norman for the role of Ethel.

Gabrielle couldn’t have been happier.

“She’s an amazing actress,” Gabrielle said.

“This is perfect for an older woman,” said Norman, who at 74 is acutely aware that parts get smaller and opportunities decline after actresses reach a certain age.

“I have, over the years, played some very beautiful parts,” said Norman, who has worked in both professional non-equity theater and community theater. “I’m thankful that I did it and Circle Theatre gave me the opportunity.”

Norman began working with Circle Theatre — which recently relocated to Oak Park from Forest Park — in 1985. She remained there for 15 years during which Circle transitioned from community to professional theater. She also worked with Chicago Dramatists, an ensemble that produces mostly works by its resident playwrights.

Norman always wanted to be an actress. After graduating from high school, she got a day job and took night classes at Goodman Theatre’s drama school. Within the year her plans changed when she met the man who became her husband. Norman married, had children and didn’t return to the theater until her fifth child turned 3.

Since then, she’s balanced both: performing when she could, taking a hiatus when her family needed her.

“Sometimes one would get in the way of the other,” she said. “I would stay home for two or three years and then I’d get that little bug.”

One such hiatus occurred 20 years ago following the death of her husband of 35 years, who Norman described as her biggest fan. She also lost a daughter to cancer.

“Everything built up and I decided, I don’t want to do this anymore,” she said.

And while she acknowledged her breaks from acting might have hurt her career, she did what she had to do.

“Families are families,” she said.

A 2008 community theater production of “Arsenic and Old Lace” with Naperville’s Summer Place Theatre marked her return to the stage.

“I had a ball playing Abby (one of the spinster aunts) and I found out I could still memorize the lines,” said Norman who turned in a memorable performance as Big Mama in Circle Theatre’s 2009 revival of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.”

Gabrielle has mentioned bringing back Norman, Leonard and the other “On Golden Pond” cast members next year for a revival of “Bell, Book and Candle.”

Norman says she hopes to get a part in that production. Until then, she’ll go where the roles take her.

“Everything you do is an experience and it’s a learning experience,” she said.

Ÿ “On Golden Pond” runs Sept. 23 to Oct. 2, at 1010 W. Madison St., Oak Park. (708) 829-5050.