Roxy Regional Theatre's Theotherspace Celebrates Larger-Than-Life Texas Governor In ANN

"Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels." Borrowing a phrase from cartoonist Bob Thaves to argue for more women in positions of power, feisty politician Ann Richards came to national attention when she delivered the keynote address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention.

This month, the legendary late Governor of Texas will be the focus of an inspiring and hilarious play on the corner of Franklin and First in Historic Downtown Clarksville, bringing audiences face-to-face with a complex, colorful and captivating character bigger than the state from which she hailed.

Austin Peay State University theatre professor Sara Anderson stars in the one-woman tour de force, ANN, upstairs in theotherspace at the Roxy Regional Theatre for four nights only, June 24 through July 2.

The second female governor of Texas, serving from 1991 to 1995, Ann Richards was frequently noted in the media for her outspoken feminism and her one-liners. To date, she remains the last Democrat to serve as Governor of Texas.

Written and originally performed by Emmy Award-winner Holland Taylor (Judge Roberta Kittleson in the ABC drama The Practice and Evelyn Harper on the CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men), this intimate, no-holds-barred portrait takes a revealing look at this larger-than-life and impassioned woman who enriched the lives of her followers, friends and family.

Directed by Ryan Bowie, ANN is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York. Due to language and content, this production is suggested for mature audiences only.

ANN is presented in theotherspace, the 50-seat black-box theatre located upstairs at the Roxy Regional Theatre, and plays at 7:00pm on June 24, 25, July 1 and 2.

Tickets are $20 and may be purchased online at www.roxyregionaltheatre.org, by phone at (931) 645-7699, or at the theatre during regular box office hours (9:00am to 2:00pm, Monday through Friday, and one hour prior to curtain).

The Roxy Regional Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to producing professional live theatre and promoting the arts, with emphasis on education, in Clarksville, Middle Tennessee and the Southeast. The theatre is located at 100 Franklin Street in Historic Downtown Clarksville. For more information, visit www.roxyregionaltheatre.org.

Photo: Sara Anderson stars in ANN at the Roxy Regional Theatre's theotherspace, June 24 - July 2