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Pixanne - Pretty fairy character (played by Jane Norman)
who lived in an enchanted forest on the children's program PIXANNE.
Pixanne's character was inspired by J. M. Barrie's
perennial youth Peter Pan. As Jane Norman once said "I loved Broadway shows and always
wanted to play Peter Pan so I designed a version of Peter’s costume and I made
myself look like a pixie."
The program featured live-action, songs,
stories and visitors that Pixanne magically transported from the real world to
her forest domain. Once a visiting fireman put a hoop on fire during a
demonstration and but couldn't put the fire out despite repeated tries with a
fire extinguisher.
The PIXANNE program originated in Philadelphia on WCAU-TV
Channel 10 and aired from 1960 to 1969. Eventually, the show moved to weekday
mornings at WNEW Ch. 5 in New York City and ran from September 22, 1969 until
August 21, 1970. The program reruns were later nationally syndicated in the late
1970s.
The Addis Williams puppets appeared regularly on the show
(Oggie the Owl, Flippy Butterfly) as well as characters like Wendy the Friendly
Witch (Norman in a witch costume) and the evil Captain Hook (played by the
show's resident magician Jack Adams).
Pixanne Record Album
Before her Pixanne gig, Jane Norman was accomplished
piano prodigy, summer-stock actress, and songwriter for children. In recent
years she has given up personal appearances as Pixanne to start a singing
career. Jane has recorded several record albums. A showcase of her vocal talents
can be found in her CD of romantic ballads entitled Madly in Love.
TRIVIA NOTE: Philadelphia TV show hosts like Pixanne,
Sally Starr and Captain Noah were the inspiration for a successful off-Broadway
play called Music from a Sparkling Planet about three men in their 30s who
search for Tamara Tomorrow, the host of an afternoon sci-fi kids television show
of their youth.
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