Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the full company of Ann, Emmy Award-winning actress Holland Taylor’s (The Practice, Two and a Half Men) intimate, hilarious production based on the colorful and complex life of former Texas Governor Ann Richards. “Frank, funny and warm” (New York Times), Ann is a captivating tribute to Richards’ life as an activist, politician, and feminist champion. This one-woman play takes a revealing look at the impassioned woman who enriched the lives of her followers, friends and family. Directed by Kristen van Ginhoven, Ann is a co-production with Dallas Theater Center and runs July 11 – August 11, 2019 in the Kreeger Theater and October 15 – November 10 in Dallas.
As previously announced, Jayne Atkinson (House of Cards, Criminal Minds) reprises her role as Ann Richards, who changed the face of Texas politics. Some of Atkinson’s previous Broadway credits include Blithe Spirit, Enchanted April and Our Town.
“Ann is a whip-smart play, perfect for the times we’re living in. Governor Ann Richards was so far ahead of her time, she was a rocket,” shares Artistic Director Molly Smith. We, at Arena, are excited about this co-production and bringing Jayne Atkinson’s fantastic portrayal of Governor Richards along with Kristen van Ginhoven’s wonderful direction to Washington D.C. There really is no better place for a play about a strong woman politician. We’re tossing rocks at that glass ceiling! And reminding our audiences of those who went before.”
“As a new citizen of this country, and as the Artistic Director of WAM Theatre, I cannot imagine a better way to contribute to the civic dialogue leading up to the 2020 election,” says van Ginhoven. “All of us at WAM are thrilled that our work at the intersection of arts and activism will have a life outside of the Berkshires where it will reach even larger audiences. And personally, I am delighted to be able to continue work on this play with Jayne at these two acclaimed regional theaters.”
In addition to van Ginhoven, the creative team includes Set Designer Juliana von Haubrich, Costume Designer Jess Goldstein, Lighting Designer Andi Lyons, and Sound Designer M.L. Dogg and Wig Designer Paul Huntley.
Holland Taylor (Playwright) wrote and starred on Broadway in Ann, her one-woman show about the late Texas Governor Ann Richards (Tony Award nomination for Best Actress, Drama Desk and Drama League nominations and the Outer Circle Critics Award for Best Solo Performance). The filmed version of Ann is available on Broadway HD. New York credits include Bess in Breakfast with Les and Bess; Butley, opposite Alan Bate; The Cocktail Hour and the historic flop, Moose Murders. Recent credits include The Front Page (Broadway) and Ripcord (Manhattan Theatre Club). Los Angeles credits include Kindertransport and The Unexpected Man. She has given narrations for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and has narrated the Harry Potter Suite (Chicago Symphony Orchestra). Her film credits include Romancing the Stone, Jewel of the Nile, To Die For, Next Stop Wonderland, One Fine Day, George of the Jungle, The Truman Show, Happy Accidents, Spy Kids (2 & 3), Keeping the Faith, Legally Blonde and Baby Mama. Television credits include seven Emmy nominations and winning Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for the sexy, brilliant Judge Roberta Kittleson on The Practice. TV starring roles include The Powers That Be; Bosom Buddies, with Tom Hanks; and Two and a Half Men. Current projects include Mr. Mercedes and Gloria with Julianne Moore.
Kristen van Ginhoven (Director) is the artistic director of WAM Theatre. WAM’s vision is to create opportunity for women and girls through a mission of theater as philanthropy. WAM has donated over $56,500 to organizations taking action in girls’ education, women’s leadership, teen pregnancy prevention, sexual trafficking awareness, midwife training and more. Kristen is a member of the 2013 Lincoln Center Director’s Lab and the prestigious Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Direction at the Stratford Festival of Canada. WAM credits include Ann (co-production with Dorset Theatre Festival), In Darfur (New England premiere) and Emilie (New England premiere). Elsewhere, Kristen’s selected directing credits include Disgraced, I and You (Chester Theatre), The Whale (Adirondack Theatre Festival), 10 Minute Play Festival (Barrington Stage Company) and Petticoats of Steel (Capital Repertory Theatre). She has an MA from Emerson College, where she received the Presidential Fellowship. www.wamtheatre.com
For full company biographies, please visit https://www.arenastage.org/Ann
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July 25th following the 8:00 p.m. performance and August 6 following the 7:30 p.m. performance.
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Ann
Written by Holland Taylor
Directed by Kristen van Ginhoven
In association with Dallas Theater Center
In the Kreeger Theater | July 11 – August 11, 2019
ABOUT: Punchline-packed speeches reveal the feisty and unadulterated life of legendary Texas governor, Ann Richards. Written by Emmy Award-winning actress and writer, Holland Taylor (The Practice, Two and a Half Men), Ann is a comical and inspiring production based on the colorful and complex woman whose sense of humor was bigger than the state from which she represented. Jayne Atkinson (House of Cards, Criminal Minds) reprises her well-received performance in this intimate no-holds-barred comedy chronicling Richards’ legacy and how she was determined to make her mark on the world. “Frank, funny and warm” (New York Times), Ann is a captivating tribute to Richards life as an activist, politician, and feminist champion.
CAST:
Ann Richards: Jayne Atkinson
CREATIVE TEAM:
Playwright: Holland Taylor
Director: Kristen van Ginhoven
Set Designer: Juliana von Haubrich
Costume Designer: Jess Goldstein
Lighting Designer: Andi Lyons
Sound Designer: M.L. Dogg
Wig Designer: Paul Huntley
PLAN YOUR VISIT
TICKETS: Tickets for Ann go on sale April 16 and are $41-95, subject to change and based on availability, plus applicable fees. For information on savings programs such as pay-your-age tickets, student discounts, Southwest Nights and hero’s discounts, visit https://www.arenastage.org/tickets/savings-programs/.
Tickets may be purchased online at arenastage.org, by phone at 202-488-3300 or at the Sales Office at 1101 Sixth Street, SW, D.C.
Sales Office/Subscriptions: 202-488-3300
Group Sales Hotline for 10+ Tickets: 202-488-4380
TTY for deaf patrons: 202-484-0247
Info for patrons with disabilities: 202-488-3300
PERFORMANCE DATES:
Sunday, Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday August 11
Open-captioned performance: July 19 at 8:00 p.m. and August 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Closed captioning: GalaPro begins Friday, July 19
Audio-described performance: August 10 at 2:00 p.m.
Full Calendar: https://www.arenastage.org/tickets/calendar/
ARENA STAGE CAFÉ: Prix fixe meals are available at Richard’s Place, Arena Stage’s casual dining café, and include a choice of soup or salad, main entrée and dessert. Pre-ordered meals are only $22 ($25 if purchased that day). To pre-order and see the menu, call 202-488-3300 or visit https://www.arenastage.org/plan-your-visit/richards-place-cafe/prix-fixe/. The café opens two hours before the show, and reservations are recommended. To pre-order refreshments, visit https://www.arenastage.org/plan-your-visit/richards-place-cafe/concessions/.
METRO: Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater is only one block from the Waterfront-SEU Metro station (Green Line). When exiting the station, walk west on M Street toward Sixth Street, and the main entrance to the Mead Center is on the right.
PARKING: Parking is available in Arena Stage’s on-site garage. Subscribers may purchase parking in advance for $17. Single ticket buyers may purchase parking in advance for $20 or on the day of the performance for $24 on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited handicapped parking is available by reservation. Advanced parking must be reserved by calling 202-488-3300. The entrance to the Mead Center garage is on Maine Avenue between Sixth and Seventh streets, and the garage closes one hour after the day’s last performance ends. Patrons can also park at the Public Parking Garage at 1101 Fourth Street, one block from the Mead Center, for $15.
VALET PARKING: Arena Stage offers valet service at no additional cost to patrons with accessibility needs who call 202-488-3300 in advance to request valet parking. On days when valet parking is being used for accessibility, it is also available to general patrons one hour prior to show time for $25, based on availability. To use valet parking, pull up to the main entrance on Sixth Street.
For complete 2019/20 Season details, visit: https://www.arenastage.org/tickets/subscriptions/.
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