(Seguin) — The life and legacy of former Texas Governor Ann Richards comes to life this weekend on the stage at the Texas Theatre in downtown Seguin. Holland Taylor’s play, “Ann” opens Friday night. The first show is sold out, but there are more chances available to see this popular production.
The show is being directed by Tysha Calhoun, a well-known director who is now bringing her talents to the Texas Theatre. Calhoun says Taylor’s script begins the story with a real-life image of Governor Richards and then the show evolves from there.
“She introduces Ann to the audience by playing a clip of the Democratic National Convention speech. So we’re all taken back to 1988, where you see, and where the entire nation really saw Ann for the very first time. There’s just a small little excerpt of that speech. And then Ann Richards comes on stage as if she is giving a speech to a graduating class,” said Calhoun.
Calhoun says the play goes on to tell stories about various parts of Richards’ life and how that all helped to shape who she was in her public and private life. The story is presented by talented local actress Mary Jane Windle, who takes on the role of Governor Richards and begins with that special speech.
“Ann starts giving this speech to the graduating class, that ends up being sort of autobiographical — letting us know who she was and how she grew up. Some of the things that she was exposed to at an early age, made her actually quite perfect in this ‘Good Old Boy’ politics of Texas. And then we immediately go into after she is elected governor. She sort of gives her accolades of what she was able to accomplish, and those accomplishments are not minor in any way, shape or form. When you come see the show, you’ll be able to see what they are. Then she goes into what it was like being the actual governor of Texas. So, we’re in the office with her and her assistant, Nancy. She’s always on the phone and we see sort of the circus of activity that is constantly going on all around and at all times, and somehow she is able to keep a thumb on top of every single thing that’s happening,” said Calhoun.
Windle says she’s thrilled to have the opportunity to portray Richards on stage. She says it’s been one of the most challenging roles that she’s ever tackled. She says it’s been made easier by the direction of Calhoun, who is pushing her to do more in this role. Windle says she’s also had some unexpected help in her preparation for this role. She recently reached out to Sandra Castellanos. Castellanos is a Seguin native who was actually a member of Richard’s staff in Austin. Windle says Castellanos has shared a great deal with her, which has helped her tap into the essence of the former governor.
“I tracked her down and she has been a delight, and a light, and a font of information. She’s letting us borrow some things for the desk that were Ann’s, and she’s giving us just some very behind the scenes insight into what it was like to work with her,” said Windle
The play comes at a time when Texas politics has taken the national stage with legislative fights over redistricting currently underway in Austin. Windle says the words of Richards could not come at a better time, and she believes those words can make a real difference for us all today, regardless of your political affiliation.
“One of the things she says, that I get to say and it’s another choke up moment for Mary Jane, but of course not Ann — but she says, ‘the good news is we had rung a bell that they could never unring, and by golly, in six months, they are unringing that bell.’ We need the kids. We need our young people to come and know who she was and hear about her, (and learn) that it is possible for government to be fair,” said Windle.
The play runs the next two weekends, with performances set for 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and a matinee set for 2:30 p.m. Sundays.
Tickets can be purchased online at thetexas.org.