Great Performances: Ann, written and performed by award-winning actor Holland Taylor, premieres this Friday, June 19 at 8 p.m. right here on Panhandle PBS. Tune in to learn about Ann Richards and the captivating and inspirational life she lived not only as the governor of Texas but also as a wife, mother, grandmother, leader and patriot.
Richards, who served as the governor of Texas from 1991-1995, was known for her plans to build what she called “a new Texas”. Though she was only in office for one term, Richards accomplished many things, such as increasing the number of women and minorities in the Texas government, improving the prison system and even creating the state lottery.
After her term as governor, Richards remained active politically and used her voice and experience to support the causes she believed in. She is often regarded as one of the greatest politicians in Texas history and inspired many through her work.
Ann took Taylor four years and many miles to write. She traveled across Texas and the United States to talk with Richard’s friends, family and acquaintances in an effort to most accurately portray the colorful character Richard’s lived as, and the play is largely based on those accounts.
Taylor noted that Richards was loved by countless people and inspired many with her work and “simply by being who she was.”
