When one thinks of famous Temple alumni, a few names come to mind. We've got Bob Saget (even though we might not want him), Daryl Hall (or was it John Oates, or both?), Bill Cosby (obviously), Ted Bundy (see Bob Saget comment), and Jane Norman. What do you mean, you never heard of Jane Norman?
Norman's the only one of the aforementioned alums that dressed up in a green pixie suit and became "Pixanne," the star of her own childrens' show on WCAU-TV in the '60s. While Norman and her Peter Pan-like character may only be remembered by those baby boomers who grew up watching her show ("I still get recognized in the supermarket, even without my pixie suit," says Norman), another generation of youngsters will recognize her post-Pixanne efforts, including over 50 children's stories, a number of musical recordings, and family-oriented radio and television programs.
One of the first female students in Temple's communications program, Norman says, "I am still using the experience that I learned at WRTI." Although she graduated from Temple (Norman is reticent to say which year, being a pixie and all) with a degree in education, she discovered that teaching was not what she ultimately wanted to do.
"I always wanted to be Peter Pan on Broadway," says Norman, "so I decided to become a female Peter Pan who could fly. Kids love flying." Oblivious to the red tape etiquette of show business, Norman walked into the local CBS station and, in her words, "became her own salesperson."
Thus "Pixanne" was born, a television program that was to run five days a week for 10 years (15 with syndication), become a national program, and regularly follow "Captain Kangaroo." Impressively, every voice, script and musical arrangement to be found in Pixanne's enchanted forest is attributable to Norman. "It was a lot of work," she says.
In addition, "Pixanne" was the first local televison show to use special effects, including split screen and ChromaKey.
Norman's success in writing and music after her television days is largely due to her ability to adapt her talents to different situations. "It's important for young people to realize that they are never stuck. You have to create a job, because there isn't a job out there for you. Never send resumes," advises Norman.
The multi-talented Norman will grace the stage of the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia for a cabaret performance on Nov. 25, in support of her fourteenth album, "In a Christmas Mood." The album contains seven standard holiday tunes and five originals by Norman. "I write good, schmaltzy music," says Norman. She won't be appearing as Pixanne for the performance, even though it's rumored that she can still fit into her size seven green pixie suit.