Flash! From Liz Smith | 10/08/2009 3:00 pm

LIZ SMITH FLASH! 'Ann Landers' Appearing Onstage

Our Dear Margo’s fabled mother’s story … now in front of the footlights!

Our very own wOw contributor, the dynamite Margo Howard, tells us that opening Wednesday, October 14, will be a one-woman play on her late and very famous mother – the queen of hearts, Ann Landers.

A terrific Texan, Judith Ivey is performing in "The Lady With All the Answers," previewing now at Manhattan’s Cherry Lane Theater. We are showing you now Judith wearing her fabulous "Eppie" wig. As the playwright David Rambo says, "The wig does half the work."

Ann Landers was, in real life, Eppie Lederer, and in her lifetime she became both a Chicago and international institution with her advice to the lovelorn. Daughter Margo, who has followed firmly in mama’s footsteps with her own brand of common-sense advice and a great writing style, says she and director Rambo call the play privately, "The Jewish Belle of Amherst." Margo recalls, years ago, when Eppie’s good friend Carol Channing wanted Jerry Herman to make a musical for her to star as Eppie.

Eppie said, "Abolutely not!" But now there is a two-time Tony winner channeling Ann Landers and everybody just hopes Eppie approves.

2009_1008_Judith_Ivey_as_ann_landers.<span class="caps">JPG</span>

2009_1008_Judith_Ivey_as_ann_landers.<span class="caps">JPG</span>

28 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Oh this is faboulas news - Judith Ivey is my 2nd cousin on my Mom’s side of the family. Her father and my Mother’s Mom were brother and sister. I have never been able to meet Judith but I have pictures of her with my Grandmother, Judith’s Aunt. We get yearly letters from Judith’s parents giving updates in their lives and their children’s lives.

How wonderful for Judith and she looks beautiful! Maybe one day we can meet as I named my daughter after her Aunt, my grandmother.

By C Hardy on 10/08/2009 2:45 pm

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C Hardy

This is a lovely post. I like the family connection. I hope you get to meet her.

By L. C. on 10/08/2009 8:56 pm

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LC I would love to meet her - I have met her parents several times. They still live mostly in Texas as does my Mother’s family but we live in VA - My Dad was from VA but stationed in TX for the Air Force - so when he was done with his years in the Air Force they moved back to VA and have been here ever since!

By C Hardy on 10/09/2009 7:24 am

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By sibelle daubigne on 10/08/2009 5:09 pm

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Wrong button!

By sibelle daubigne on 10/08/2009 5:15 pm

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This one-woman play may be new to New York, but not to those of us who saw the Pittsburgh Public Theater’s production of "The Lady with All the Answers," with perfectly wonderful Pennsylvanian Helena Ruoti in the title role. Absolutely wonderful! It is really too bad the rest of the theater world does not do more to recognize PPT (and frequent performer Ms. Ruoti) for its excellent and often innovative regional work. Bravo, PPT!

By Anais P on 10/08/2009 6:54 pm

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I heard that was a wonderful production. The play has been, and is going all over the country. So far I have seen it in Chicago, the Pasadena Playhouse, and the Old Globe Theatre, where it opened.

By Margo Howard on 10/08/2009 11:28 pm

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Margo, I am so glad you have seen it! Yes, the Pittsburgh production was wonderful. I was glad to recognize many of your mother’s famous observations and comments. It is both a hilarious and poignant play. I miss your mother’s savvy public voice, which I am glad to see you have inherited. Keep up the great work; I’ve been reading your advice for quite a while.

By Anais P on 10/09/2009 10:24 am

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When I was a "cub reporter" in New Orleans too many years ago, Ann Landers spoke to a meeting of doctors at Ochnser Foundation Hospital here. Afterward, she was MOBBED by doctors, who all had Ann Landers columns folded in their wallets. I got in my few minutes with that delightful lady and two days later, my editor received a glowing letter from "Eppie" about what an accurate reporter I was, with "an ear like a phonograph needle." With just a note she upped my stock at the paper considerably. Incidentally, she was beautiful, in a black chiffon dress and a string of pearls.

By David Cuthberr on 10/08/2009 7:49 pm

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What a marvelous memory for you — and a wonderful one for me to hear. That’s what she was like.

By Margo Howard on 10/08/2009 11:33 pm

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I enjoyed reading her column and look forward eagerly to seeing the play. I’m certain it’s going to be a wonderful evening.

By L. C. on 10/08/2009 8:51 pm

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Margo I never knew your mother was Ann Landers, to this day I have articles my cut out and sent to me when my children were little. I had a few laminated so they would last forever. She was one a Hell of Woman, I can only imagine what kind of Mother she was, I feel blessed to have been able to live during her life time and learn from her wisdom. I hope the show goes well. I’ll never see it because I never go to NY City, if it comes to NC I’ll be sure I’ll go to see it. Good Luck, :) One question what was it like having Dear Abby for an Aunt???????????????

By Deniseann Taylor on 10/08/2009 9:16 pm

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I suspect the play will come your way. It’s going everywhere. As for your question, I’m going to leave that one alone.

By Margo Howard on 10/08/2009 11:34 pm

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Margo my daughter told me when it comes to D.C. she will take me to see your play, and as for your Aunt I’ll let the question drop, I respect you and your wishes. I’ve nothing but respect for your Mom she helped me a lot as a kid and adult. I look forward to see you on stage. :)

By Deniseann Taylor on 10/09/2009 9:59 am

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Many of us learned a lot about life from reading Dear Ann Landers and Dear Abby growing up. We may not have faced the problems and issues of the letter writers but they made us think beyond the confines of our own lives. I’d enjoy seeing this play.

By Chris Glass` on 10/08/2009 9:37 pm