Republican Rep. Norma Smith said she has been working over the years to develop ways to spur such economic growth.

NPR: For Blind Lawmaker, Biography Reflects In Policy

Mrs Smith's family, including her parents Alan and Norma Smith, released a statement in which they described her as "an exceptional person, loving and caring to everyone".

BBC: Pudsey mother and children 'died from stab wounds'

Durang flings all kinds of references into his word processor: Angelina Jolie, Snow White, Maggie Smith, global warming, Norma Desmond, William Penn, "Peter Pan, " the HBO show "Entourage, " Lindsay Lohan, ancient Greek drama, voodoo and, as the title suggests, a big dollop of Anton Chekhov.

WSJ: Review: Durang's 'Vanya and Sonia' a zany joy