Ann (@AnnRichardsPlay) starring @HollandTaylor is a one woman tour de force!

Last week I got to see the new Broadway Musical,  Kinky Boots still in previews. which I reviewed HERE, and I also got the chance to see a one woman show called Ann that is currently running at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Synopsis:

ANN is a no-holds-barred portrait of Ann Richards, the legendary governor of Texas. This inspiring and hilarious new play brings us face to face with a complex, colorful and captivating character bigger than the state from which she hailed. Written and performed by Emmy® Award winner Holland Taylor (“Two and a Half Men"), ANN takes a revealing look at the impassioned woman who enriched the lives of her followers, friends and family.

After playing throughout Texas to sold-out audiences, ANN went on to win critical acclaim both in Chicago and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. And now this extraordinary play comes to Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater in a production directed by Benjamin Endsley Klein (resident director of War Horse).

En Espanol:

ANN es un retrato sin tapujos de Ann Richards, el legendario gobernador de Texas. Esta nueva obra inspiradora y divertida nos trae cara a cara con un personaje complejo, colorido y fascinante más grande que el estado de la cual ella aclamado. Escrita e interpretada por el ganador del Premio Emmy ® Holland Taylor (de la serie de television "Two and a Half Men"), ANN toma una mirada reveladora a la mujer apasionada que enriquece la vida de sus seguidores, amigos y familiares.

Después de jugar a lo largo de Texas para el público agotado, ANN se encendió para ganar elogios de la crítica en Chicago y en el Kennedy Center en Washington, DC. Y ahora esta extraordinaria obra viene a Lincoln Center Vivian Beaumont Theater en una producción había dirigida por Benjamin Endsley Klein (director residente de caballo de guerra).

Trailer:

Holland Taylor stars as Ann Richards and she is also the Playwright! I'm sure those who know Holland's backstory and credits, including her portrayal of Denise Cavanaugh on the long running Soap Opera, The Edge of Night where she played a character who killed herself, just to frame her husband, aren't surprised she could pull off the role of Ann Richards. I'm sure her role as Evelyn Harper in CBS's Two and a Half Men helped her to prepare, Holland certainly knows a thing or two about 'tough broads'.

She began researching, writing and producing a one-woman play about the late Texas Governor Ann Richards in 2009.  The two-act play, which was originally titled Money, Marbles and Chalk, was first work-shopped in May 2010 at The Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston, Texas. It was later re-named Ann: An Affectionate Portrait of Ann Richards and opened in Chicago November 16, 2011, being billed as a "pre-Broadway" engagement.

The Real Ann Richards:

Texas Governor Ann Richards in 1992 - Photo Credit: @Wikimedia Commons

The Texas Governer Ann Richards (who was born Dorothy Ann Willis), attended Baylor University on a Debate scholarship and after earning her bachelor's degree she married her High School Sweetheart David Richards and moved to Austin where she pursued her teaching certificate from the University of Texas. She taught Social Studies and History. She campaigned for Texas liberals and progressives, and by the 1970's she was an accomplished Political Worker. She worked to elect Liberal Democrat Sarah Weddington and presented training sessions throughout the state on campaign techniques for women candidates and managers. She became the Travis County Commissioner, followed by Texas State Treasurer and then Richards famously became the 45th Governor of Texas.

My Take:

It takes an incredible amount of energy to pull off a one-woman/one-man show, I had amazing seats, and from my vantage point I was truly amazed to see the way Holland Taylor maintains such a powerful and strong energy throughout the entire performance.

This is an incredible labor of love and it shows in every scene. Whether you liked Ann Richards views as a politician or not, she was a pioneer and an amazingly strong woman who overcame incredible odds to succeed and to also help shatter that Glass Ceiling so that the women coming after her trying to build a Political Career had less hurdles to overcome. What Holland Taylor does is give us a very even-handed look into her life not just the politician, but the woman, the wife, the mother, the grand-mother, it's intimate, personal and holds nothing back. It would take a very strong woman to pull off that role and Holland Taylor succeeds on every level!

This play is raw and powerful and sometimes quite intense, but I can tell you as a Life Coach this is a goldmine of treasure, Ann Richards let NOTHING stop her, not even her own demons. She overcomes the obstacles, the odds and the naysayers and made change not just in her community but the world at large, she leaves an incredible legacy with the Ann Richards School For Young Women Leaders, and whether your aspirations and goals are leading you toward a political career or a career in any field for that matter, just know that any effort you put your energy, passion and dedication to, WILL lead you to success!

I could relate to Ann on so many levels, many career counselors and school guidance counselors tried to urge me toward debate teams, law and later possibly politics, so learning about her career accomplishments were of great interest to me, but despite my academic advisors who were urging me toward Law/Politics and my original wishes toward Medicine, the universe ended up always pushing me into something that had to with writing, so Holland Taylor being the playwright for this in addition to the star has also given me powerful inspiration and incentive to pursue new facets of my writing! (Although I will say after watching Ann, I spent my birthday week away by the Beach briefly entertaining the notion that I should run for my local City Council seat, who knows, this play may have planted a more powerful seed in me than I know!)

Get Social:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Get the latest updates by following @AnnRichardsPlay via Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You can also check out the latest news on their Facebook page (and you can press the video trailer above to go straight to the YouTube page).

Ascending Butterfly poses by the Ann signage!

Guess what else I have in common with Governor Ann Richards? If you guessed the same middle name, you get a gold star!

Joke: There was a terrier, Great Dane and a Bulldog........you want to find out why the entire audience laughs out loud at this joke? Then go see Ann! :-)

Favorite Quotes: 'When You Rest, You Rust!" + "Trust that your wings will catch the wind"

After leaving the performance I had to catch this shot:

Lincoln Center Fountain at night! Check out the sign for Ann in the upper right hand  of the shot!

I definitely say 'Ticket' butterflies (Do NOT Miss this one!), and when you see it, please come back here and share your thoughts! 

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received by Ascending Butterfly, we were provided only with our seats for editorial consideration. All Opinions are always 100% my own. Special thanks to Culture Mom Media, I LOVED THIS SHOW!

{Theatre Review} If Kinky Boots The Musical @KinkyBootsBway doesn't make you want to sing and dance in the aisle, check your pulse! #KinkyBootsBway

Playbill for Kinky Boots The Musical on Broadway

Last week during a week I can only nickname 'Birthday Madness', I got to see the new Broadway Musical,  Kinky Boots still in previews. I brought along Mama Butterfly who had already seen the movie version (I have not yet seen the movie), but I made her promise NOT to tell me anything about it!

Kinky Boots The Musical Sign at The Al Hirschfeld Theatre

Synopsis:

From Grammy^® Award-winning pop icon CYNDI LAUPER and four-time Tony Award^® winner HARVEY FIERSTEIN comes the exhilarating new musical KINKY BOOTS, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner JERRY MITCHELL.

Kinky Boots The Musical Signage in front of The Al Hirschfeld Theatre

Charlie Price (Tony nominee Stark Sands) has suddenly inherited his father’s shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola (Billy Porter). A fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos, Lola turns out to be the one person who can help Charlie become the man he’s meant to be. As they work to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair finds that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible… and discovers that when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world.

Featuring a sensational new score, knockout dancing and a spectacularly uplifting story, KINKY BOOTS is the must-see new musical that proves that sometimes, the best way to fit in is to stand out!

Kinky Boots The Musical Signage of Cyndi Lauper in front of The Al Hirschfeld Theatre

En Espanol:

Charlie Price repentinamente ha heredado la fábrica de calzado de su padre, que está al borde de la quiebra. Tratando de cumplir con el legado de su padre y salvar su negocio familiar, Charlie encuentra inspiración en forma de Lola (Billy Porter). Un fabuloso actor que necesitan unos stilettos robustos, Lola resulta ser la única persona que puede ayudar a Charlie a convertirse en el hombre que ha destinado a ser. Mientras trabajan para apagar la fábrica de alrededor, este improbable par los hallazgos que tienen más en común que siempre soñado posible... y descubre que cuando cambias de parecer acerca de alguien, puede cambiar el mundo entero.

Trailer:




Cast:

Stark Sands plays Charlie Price in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Billie Porter plays Simon/Lola in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Billie Porter as Lola in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Annaleigh Ashford plays Lauren in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Celina Carvajal plays Nicola in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Daniel Stewart Sherman plays Don in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Marcus Neville plays George in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Sebastian Hedges Thomas plays Young Charlie in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Marquise Neal plays Young Lola in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Eugene Barry-Hill plays Simon Sr. in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Stephen Berger plays Mr. Price in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

My Take:

The way I open this post is exactly how I feel about Kinky Boots The Musical, if this play doesn't make you want to jump out of your seat and start singing and dancing, you may need to have your pulse checked! There really is no other way to describe it, but you leave the theatre feeling uplifted, happy and with a smile on your face!

It's incredibly well cast, and they all work so well playing off of each other, that it is hard to pick a personal favorite among this amazing cast!

I love the way The Musical takes time to give you backstory for the characters and truly carries the stories through, like seeing both young Charlie and young Simon, and how they relate to their Fathers and then how those foundations from their youth carry through to the way they are as young men, and how the relationship with Simon and his father Simon Sr. evolves overtime. It's a beautiful story of what would normally seem an unlikely friendship. While it claims to celebrate what makes us unique and different, it is actually a celebration of the things that unite us all, wanting to live up to our parents expectations, yet also wanting to chart our own course and dance to beat of our own drummer, looking for a love that allows us to be who we are without trying to change us, and that the most amazing ideas sometimes come from the most bizarre series of coincidences and circumstances!

And THIS:

Butterflies you just have to see it to find out why I'm highlighting this graphic!

The Theatre has been a strong part of my life since I was a child, and I will say my very first two plays set the bar super high, but this has to be the standout for me for 2013 so far, there is just nothing bad to say about it, well cast, strong storyline, an incredible musical score (Cyndi Lauper NAILED it!), and it's just a great paced, high energy, FUN time on Broadway that you will certainly kick yourself if you miss it! (Kick yourself with a high heeled kinky boot for missing it in fact!)

Get Social:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Get the latest updates by following @KinkyBootsBway via Twitter and be sure to use the hashtag #KinkyBootsBway

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You can also check out the latest news on their Facebook page (and you can press the video trailer above to go straight to the YouTube page).

Here is me and Mama Butterfly and I'm holding up my tickets high:

Had to ham it up with Cyndi Lauper in the middle! (What is your favorite Cyndi song of all time? For me it's an even tie between Girls Just Wan't to Have Fun and Time after Time!)

I definitely say 'Ticket' butterflies (Do NOT Miss this one!), and when you see it, please come back here and share your thoughts! And remember when all else fails:

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received by Ascending Butterfly, we were provided only with our seats for editorial consideration. All Opinions are always 100% my own. I LOVED THIS SHOW!

Wordless Wednesday: Rock on with your Bad Self!

Yesterday I got the chance to see Kinky Boots on Broadway, and it was so fun and uplifting I thought this graphic would make a perfect Wordless Wednesday, and a perfect reminder that every now and then you have got to let out your inner rock star and let him/her have some FUN! I will definitely post a full event recap of the show soon!

Well it's official butterfly this is my Birthday Eve, and my birthday is tomorrow! I can't wait for the big day! Today I'm off for more social Butterfly fun with several New York City entertainment related events (another play is just one of the things I will be doing today!), and in the next week or so I'll share all that I've been up to this week!)

Rock on with your bad self Butterfly and if you are a blogger share your Wordless Wednesday link as a comment to this post so we can all see your pictures for this week too, and if you haven't already done so, please don't forget to enter our 'It's MY Birthday, But YOU Get The Gifts!" Giveaway of this week for the cake of your choice from We Take the Cake!

Happy Wordless Wednesday!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post, no monetary compensation has been received, the Giveaway referenced above will be fulfilled by the Giveaway Sponsor.

Monday Motivation + #Giveaways + 5 #winners to announce!

What I am grateful for:

I read a great post in Jennifer James' Mom Bloggers Magazine it was an articled titled 'Mom Blogging Has Treated Many Well This Year', and it got me thinking! I actually write about many of my blogging blessings in my weekly gratitude posts, but responding to this thread and seeing the highlights all in one place made a big impact on me, and I thought I'd share about that here. While I'm a woman who blogs, I am NOT actually a Mom Blogger, I'm not yet a mom. But many of my readers are, and I'm an Aunt and God-mother.

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Blogging Blessings This Year: The highlights! -  Of course my top 3 highlights would be my 3 Ambassadorships this year, Britax, The Bronx Zoo, and Duane Reade. They have blessed me in very different ways, but thanks to my Britax Ambassadorship I had the opportunity to attend the Niche Mommy Conference in New Orleans in it's Inaugral Year as a guest of Britax one the conference's official sponsors. It was an amazing trip and an amazing City! I made new friends there and I will never forget that trip. I also got to visit Britax at their US Headquarters in North Carolina and meet fellow Hispanic Digital Advisory and Social Media Outreach Ambassadors. It's a dynamic, smart and enthusiastic group of Latina Bloggers across the United States that I'm super proud to be a part of! Through Duane Reade, I've met Jordin Sparks, enjoyed an amazing massage from Oasis Day Spa, been introduced to a variety of great products, got my first experience with a Celeb Stylist, and more! Thanks to P&G I bit the bullet and filmed my very first VLOG  with the amazing Robert Verdi! Super Awesome Interview! I got the chance to interview Gerard Butler while he was in Miami promoting his new movie Playing for Keeps! It was a conference call and myself and one other awesome blogger (Rosy from Accidental Sexiness!) got to ask Gerard Butler (press on his name to go to the Q&A article if you missed it!) questions about his new movie. I asked 3 questions, and 2 were from Ascending Butterfly readers! I posted asking everyone if they could ask Gerard Butler one question about his upcoming new movie what would it be. I used one question that was asked on the post, and the other from a twitter follower! And I got to host some awesome Twitter Parties this year that were even picked up for additional media coverage! Some fun Mamarazzi screenings and events where I got to meet Jada Pinkett-Smith, Elizabeth Banks, Kevin James and Henry Winkler, and had some great moments on Broadway in New York City at the theatre (even some behind the scenes!) at Ghost The Musical, Annie, Emotional Creatures, Rated P for Parenthood, and Elf The Musical. And last but certainly not least two memorable Breast Cancer Awareness events this year one with Kristin Chenoweth and the other with Giuliana Rancic in conjunction with P&G's #GIVEHope campaign where a live twitter party was also hosted!

I remember being angry at the begining of the year when I lost out on a job because the company 'couldn't wait for me', I spent New Year's Eve in the hospital after being given a very bleak prognosis, and missing out on my birthday as well as a conference because I wasn't yet cleared for air travel. I spent a long time angry about the opportunities I missed. I needed to stop and count the ones I did enjoy and not worry about those that were missed!

As I look back on a year that I was told I wouldn't even see begin, nevertheless end, I'm still humbled by all I accomplished this year. If I can overcome the worst news one person can ever hope to receive, what can YOU accomplish? If I did all that in 2012 while spending the bulk of my year in and out of the hospital, I can't wait to see what 2013 has in store!

What are YOU most grateful for this week Butterfly?

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What are you grateful for today? I'd love for you to write in and share what you are grateful for this week. The more you say it, the more you speak it, and the more you live in gratitude, the more you will find reasons to be grateful for, and the more reasons that the universe will send you to be grateful for. So join me on this journey of gratitude and inspiration. And you can post here daily (even though my list will be posted weekly).

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me on Twitter here (@Tracy_Iglesias) Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter:

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias This Week's 'Moment of Gratitude' and Active Giveaways!  - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

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Giveaways!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Holidays Buying Guide Giveaway!: December is National "Made in America Month!" 5 Winners can win @TeroxFootwear - MEN OR WOMEN, in our very first GLOBAL Giveaway! - Butterflies, these flip flops are truly comfortable, and spring you back with each step! Slip one of these in someone's Christmas Stocking and they will definitely be happy!

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - WINNER ANNOUNCEMENTS:

3 giveaways down, 5 winners to share!

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - McDonald's Cheddar Bacon Onion Sandwich Giveaway Winners Are:

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Nicole T.
 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Brad M.

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Triple Action Purex with Oxi and Zout Stain Removers Product Coupon Giveaway Winners Are:

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Anne D.
 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Sonia G.

 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Gund Boo Plush Toy and mini Boo Plush Toy Giveaway Winner Is:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Sharon L.

We are working on closing entries and processing a winner for the $100 Wilsons Leather Giveaway and will have a winner announced shortly!

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Gratitude Journal Reco:

For those of you who are interested in keeping a gratitude journal this year, here is my recommendation and where to purchase it:

Make this Your Best Day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, all opinions are 100% my own. Journal Recommendation uses an Amazon Affiliate Link. Questions about our Disclosure? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html