Actress Holland Taylor is starring in a one-woman show depicting the life of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards. Taylor hopes those who see the play will be inspired by Richards’ life and career.
To convey the idea that the play is about big themes, Taylor shared a story from the opening shows in Texas, when a 20-year-old nephew of a contributor to the play came to see it.
“He saw the play and everyone was very excitedly gathering back at the hotel afterward, and they said, ‘Well, we will get you a room,’ and he said, ‘I’m not staying, I have to drive. I’m going to get in my truck and drive. I’m going to think about my life,’” Taylor said. “A young boy, never heard of Ann Richards, inspired. Frankly, I always knew it would be like that.”
Taylor’s passion for the former governor is evident in the words she carefully chooses to describe her. In the end, she hopes that others will find the inspiration that she does from Richards and that the audience will walk away with new perspectives on their lives regardless of whether they are in politics.
“They will be uplifted, they will be comforted in that things will be all right, they will be emboldened to find the potential they don’t even know they have,” Taylor said. “And they will laugh their asses off.”
Lois Lerner, director of exempt organizations for the IRS, arrives for a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on the investigation of the IRS' targeting of political groups. Lerner invoked her Fifth Amendment right to not testify and caused a protest from some committee members when she offered an opening statement and engaged in dialogue with members before invoking the right.
Roll Call has launched a new feature, Hill Navigator, to advise congressional staffers and would-be staffers on how to manage workplace issues on Capitol Hill. Please send us your questions — anything from office etiquette, to handling awkward moments, to what happens when the work life gets too personal. Submissions will be treated anonymously.
