Arts Alive San Antonio

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor

One of San Antonio’s best and most versatile actresses, Anna Gangai, is portraying former fire-brand governor of Texas, Ann Richards, in a one-woman-play at the San Pedro Playhouse Classic Theater.

Many readers will remember Richard’s flamboyant persona, her tenacity and resilience as only the second female governor of the Lone Star State. We spoke with Gangai about this challenging role.

How do you feel portraying a person that many people knew and still remember very well?
I love it! I absolutely adore it. At least two or three times a week, I meet people who say, “Oh, I remember her,” or “I worked with her at the Capitol,” so yes, she is still in the public consciousness. And some say, “If only she could return; we need her.”  She is a popular figure.

Did you ever meet her?
I don’t think so, but my husband worked at the Ccapitol when he was in law school in Austin. He remembers that just walking in the hallways, you could hear her voice. At the time he had a shock of red hair, and once the governor said to him – I don’t think she even knew him – “Oh, there’s my red-haired friend!!”  She was someone people loved because she loved people.

Now, in preparation for this show, are you watching a lot of videos?
I don’t want to do an impersonation of her. I want to present the essence of who she was. But yes, I watched the 1988 key-note address because she was at her youngest as governor. I listened to her speeches. It helped me to hear her voice, the cadence, hear the pitch. (Gangai reproduced for us the famed statement Richards made about women’s abilities. She said: “After all, Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did but she did it backwards and in high heels.”

What do you personally remember from Richards’ speeches?
Well, it was 1991-1994, and I had small children… I remember knowing about her and watching her. I was not consumed with her but she sure was larger than life. And she had a sharp, sharp wit.

When you started learning about her time and persona, what struck you the most about her?
Hmm, well the fact that she was larger than life and she had a passion for politics, and compassion for people. She really loved meeting people and finding out who they were, what they cared about. But what struck me the most was how funny she was. She used to say that she got along better with men than women until she discovered that there were women like her, independent, strong…

Why do you think she didn’t get a second term as governor?
There are a lot of opinions about that. But I think it was because of her concealed- weapon veto. In fact, she said so: “I got turned down over my concealed weapon veto without which every Tom, Dick and Harry can walk into your home or business packing heat.” More guns in people’s pockets mean more people dead.”

Did you read her autobiography?
Yes, and I also read “The Thorny Rose of Texas” She was a thorn in many people’s sides.

So, what do you consider her key accomplishments?
She was the first female county commissioner, she was state treasurer for two terms, she had four children and she was a governor of Texas. People still remember her so lovingly.

Did you see other actresses in this role?
Yes, I saw Holland Taylor three times. She wrote the play. It took her six years to do the research for the play. I don’t believe that she ever met Ann but she felt that she needed to write about “This incredible woman.”

Are you enjoying playing this role?
Very much so! This work… It’s always about the work. It is so intense, so fulfilling.
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Nov. 7 – Nov. 24;. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m.; $20-$50 with fees; San Pedro Playhouse Classic Theater; 800 W. Ashby Pl., 78212; 210-733-7258; tickets at www.sanpedroplayhouse.org;  Some shows are sold out.