The Reason

Welcome to the Ted Swindley Theatre Workshop and to our first full production and world premiere of The Book of Mary written by and starring Houston’s own MARY HOOPER!

Having worked in theatre professionally for more than 45 years, this theatre workshop is a brand new venture for me. I am proud to be founding artistic director of STAGES theatre and author and original director of the hit musical, Always…Patsy Cline, among my many other directing and playwriting credits.

For me, the creation of this workshop is just another expression of my passion for live theatre, particularly in this age of somewhat dehumanizing electronic everything!

And now for one of the most important and fulfilling projects in my long career, it is with great pride that I present to you this theatrical event starring and performed by one of Houston’s true theatre artists and legends to grace our city’s stages for many years — MARY HOOPER.

I would have never in a million years imagined the gift of Mary and this show to come into my life at this stage of my long career.

Mary was instrumental as one of the founding acting company members of STAGES by helping me establish the theatre as a home for new plays and musicals and fresh looks at stage classics.

Now after a 30-year separation, Mary and I happily reconnected when she requested that I direct and consult with her on the amazing script, which you will experience at this performance.

Over the entirety of last year, the two of us have met religiously (and I mean that literally) at my home once or twice a week and shaped and sharpened the world of this play. We have done two developmental readings of this script that tells the story of an extraordinary life filled with triumph and loss, which Mary has created on her own terms. Through this show she has given me, and all of you, a gift of theatre magic, which I believe will be part of Houston’s cultural heritage in the years to come.

I could not be more proud to have been a part in the creation and realization of this masterful work!

I would like also express my deep appreciation to our marvelous sponsor and a person who has given so much to our city — SUE SMITH. She has made a dream come true! Thank you, Sue!

I also want to thank Dirt Dogs Theatre Co., our city’s most vibrant and “scrappy” young theatre company. As the directors of this group of artists, Trevor B. Cone and Malinda L. Beckham, provided us the first public showing of this play, which has led to its current full production. Trevor has also served as our general manager for this production. Thank you, Trevor.

So please join me in the celebration of my colleague, fellow theatre artist and one of my dearest friends — the unforgettable MARY HOOPER who reminds us that “it costs a lot to be real.”