STAGE TUBE: Holland Taylor on the Evolution of ANN

Playing the Kennedy Center, Dec. 17 through Jan. 15, Holland Taylor steps into the shoes of Ann Richards, the impassioned governor of Texas who dedicated her life to empowering, expanding, and enriching the lives of her constituents, friends, and family. ANN is an inspiring and hilarious play that brings you face to face with a complex, colorful, and captivating character bigger than the state from which she hailed. Holland Taylor takes the audience on a journey, swirling together the past and present to reunite Ann Richards with old friends and introduce her to a new generation. Click below to hear ho wthe play came about!

ANN, a new play written and performed by Emmy Award-winning actress Holland Taylor, is a no holds barred portrait of the unforgettable governor of the Lone Star State, Ann Richards. Directed by Benjamin Klein, with scenic design by Michael Fagin, costume design by Julie Weiss, lighting design by Matthew Richards, projection design by Zachary Borovay, sound design by Ken Huncovsky and wig design by Paul Huntley, Ann is produced by Bob Boyett.

ANN began as a "project" and quest for Ms. Taylor to understand what it was about this housewife, mother, grandmother, leader and iconic patriot that affected so many people so deeply. Writing the play became a three year journey for Ms. Taylor, crisscrossing the country, interviewing people who knew the Governor, watching countless hours of video coverage, and pouring over reams of Richards' personal and public papers at the University of Texas. In the end, her greatest resources were the family, friends, staff, and colleagues of the Governor who allowed Ms. Taylor to "know" Ann Richards.

No stranger to playing strong women, Holland Taylor has performed on stage, screen and television portraying a range of characters as varied as a Harvard law professor in Legally Blonde, a sultry judge in The Practice (Supporting Actress Emmy for Drama) and the mother of Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer in Two and a Half Men. Taylor has also played both ends of the political spectrum with conviction, from conservative Nancy Reagan on the right to Ann Richards on the left. The New Yorker has called Holland Taylor "the first vaudeville Gentile we ever saw." Her long list of credits includes Baby Mama and Romancing the Stone. She can currently be seen on CBS's top?rated Two and a Half Men. Her New York stage performances include Bess in Breakfast with Les and Bess, the original productions of Butley opposite Alan Bates, and A.R. Gurney's The Cocktail Hour. Ms. Taylor is active at the Stella Adler Schools and has given talks about the work and cultural contribution of this great teacher.

"The Rosie Show" is a new daily talk show hosted by Emmy Award-winning actress and comedienne, Rosie O'Donnell. Funny, high-energy and authentic, no two days of the show will be alike. The show will feature Rosie's hilarious take on current events, celebrity and human interest guests, comedy and games, live performances by top artists and a behind the scenes look at Rosie -- and her staff -- as she settles into a new world and embarks upon a new chapter in her life. "The Rosie Show" is produced by Harpo Studios in association with KidRo Productions, Inc. and SantaBu Productions.

Tickets for ANN range from $20-$85. A select number of premium seats are also available for many performances. Tickets are available now for groups of 15 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 . ANN will be a part of the next 2011 Season Subscription Series. Individual tickets will go on sale at a later date.

Following its Chicago engagement, ANN will play the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, beginning December 17, 2011 through January 15, 2012.

 

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