‘Ann’ provides contactless theater with a political message
Seats at the Firehouse Theatre will go unfilled during a final livestreamed performance of “Ann” on Oct. 25. The one-woman play explores the life of Ann Richards, Texas’ first female Democratic governor. Photo by Jon Mirador
Claire Darcy, Contributing Writer
Feisty, sharp, ballsy and vulgar — these are the words audience members at Richmond’s Firehouse Theatre use to describe the late politician Ann Richards.
As the first female Democratic governor of Texas from 1991-95, Richards advocated for women’s rights, supported the pro-choice movement and encouraged civic engagement for everyone. Written by Holland Taylor, “Ann” is a biographic look into Richards’ personal and professional lives.
The show began its four-month Broadway run in 2013 at the Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater. “Ann” came to Firehouse Theatre as the third show of its 2020-21 season and started its run on Sept. 16.
“She was known for her devotion to people of all stripes and colors and sizes, and she created a government in Texas that was representative of the people,” said actress Jacqueline Jones, who stars in the titular role. “She hired all walks of life to be part of her government, and the people really admired her and loved her for that.”
In order to comply with social distancing measures, Firehouse Theatre limited the number of audience members permitted to attend each show. The maximum capacity grew from two to eight people as dates progressed. To accommodate tickets quickly selling out, the theater also offers livestreamed performances on select nights.
“The main idea of our contactless performance is ‘stay away from everyone,’” producing artistic director Joel Bassin said in his pre-show announcements.
Stage manager Grace Brown said the theater also takes audience temperatures before entry, sanitizes the building everyday, requires masks to be worn at all times and limits the production crew’s size.
Additionally, audience members are socially distanced and can pre-order contactless drinks.
“Everybody has a number,” Jones said. “Your number is your seat, your number is your bathroom and your number is your little slice of space on the bar.”
Brown said the one-woman show was an ideal fit because of social distancing requirements and its political message during an election year.
With a minimal audience size, Brown and Jones cited a noticeable difference in energy levels compared to full house shows of the past. Despite this, both said the reduced crowd brought some advantages.
“It’s a lot easier to know when everybody has arrived or just having a good idea of where everybody is and what’s going on,” Brown said.
The limited capacity gave Jones the ability to create a more intimate experience for her audience.
“It’s kind of nice because I can address individuals more specifically,” Jones said. “That’s kind of exciting to feel like I can connect more on a personal level.”
Director Billy Christoper Maupin of Firehouse Theatre approached Jones in 2019 with the idea of producing “Ann.”
In his director’s note, Maupin wrote that after watching a production of “Ann” on PBS for the first time, he wanted to produce the play himself and had Jones in mind for the lead role.
The show runs for approximately one hour and 40 minutes, with a brief intermission at the one-hour mark. Except for dialogue with the off-stage voice of Richards’ secretary, Nancy Kohler — played by VCU voice and speech instructor Erica Hughes — Jones delivers a fast-paced monologue with little rest for the full duration of the show.
“Her mind goes a million miles a minute, and the script is actually written like that with personal self-interruptions,” Jones said. “You see how fast she thinks.”
Jones said performing the breathless script is “exciting.” She prepared for the role by reading Richards’ autobiography, watching interviews and speeches that Richards gave, and working with Hughes as a dialect coach.
The play highlights Richard’s vulgar humor and sharp wit. Despite the small attendance size, each joke was met with resounding laughter.
The show draws to its conclusion with a passionate message about the importance of participating in government. The moment involves Jones pacing the stage as she directly addresses the audience and stresses the value of an individual’s right to vote –– a message that is especially potent leading up to the Nov. 3 election.
“We have to quit whining and start participating,” Jones said during the show as Richards.
The final performance of “Ann” will be livestreamed Oct. 25 at 4 p.m. For more information, visit the Firehouse Theatre’s website at firehousetheatre.org/ann.
