Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins at Austin Playhouse

Austin Playhouse kicks off its all virtual Ghostlight Season with Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins by Margaret Engel and Allison Engel. Austin Playhouse Acting Company Member, Cyndi Williams, stars as the notorious journalist. This acclaimed play captures the reporters unflinching character by weaving personal anecdotes with her colorful take on national politics. Red Hot Patriot will be live-streamed three times October 16 18. A live virtual Q & A with Cyndi and special guests will follow each performance. Molly Ivins was a sharp-witted Texan political journalist and best-selling author of Bushwhacked, an in-depth analysis of the George W. Bush Administration. She began her journalism career in 1967 at the Minneapolis Tribune, where she became the first female police reporter at the paper. She then became editor of the liberal biweekly magazine The Texas Observer in the early 1970s. From there, Ivins worked at the New York Times from 1976-1982 before spending ten years with the Dallas Times Herald. Molly Ivins became the most widely-read self-proclaimed pain in the ass to whatever powers come to be. Red Hot Patriot is filled with Ivins sharp-tongued humor and liberal political philosophies. The show recounts Ivins political rants and personal reflections with a strong dose of vigor and rowdiness. Working on the script, I have been struck by how painfully relevant her words are today in our current political mess. But you know what Molly would say to that? She would say that the fight to extend the freedoms in the Constitution to everyone in America is still a battle (except she would somehow say it in a really hilarious way) and that we must celebrate the joy of a good fight. -Cyndi Williams on portraying Molly Ivins Austin Playhouse is a professional theatre, currently in its 21st season. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, all AP content is currently virtual. Our Ghostlight Season, running through the end of the year, includes three productions, play readings, podcasts, new play development, and other special events.