Ed Asner portrays FDR in Butte and Helena
Published: September 8, 2011
Ed Asner, recipient of seven Emmy Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, and a member of the TV Academy Hall of Fame, depicts Franklin Delano Roosevelt in “FDR,” 8 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Mother Lode Theatre in Butte and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Myrna Loy Center in Helena.
The solo drama is based upon Dore Schary’s Broadway hit “Sunrise at Campobello,” winner of four Tony awards, and explores the life of one of America’s best-loved presidents and the events and decisions that shaped a nation.
This powerful one-man show follows the iconic president as he reflects on his years in office, from inauguration to the trials of World War II, taking us through FDR’s leadership during the Depression, the steps leading up to WWII and the war years.
Asner’s portrayal captures this dynamic and powerful world leader and boldly illustrates why this president was known as “that man in the White House,” scorned by many and admired by most.
The audience sees and hears his fireside chats; his controversial packing of the Supreme Court; his personal life with Eleanor and his discreet but definite affair with Lucy Mercer; his courage to break the Neutrality Act; his manipulation of Congress (in order to get the country to have a draft); and the Pearl Harbor controversy. The benevolent dictatorship he called the presidency lasted from 1933-’44, which made him the first man in history to be elected to four terms.
Asner’s other New York City theatre credits include “Ivanov,” “”The Tempest,” “Face of a Hero,” “King Henry V” and “Born Yesterday.” In addition to his roles in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Lou Grant," television work includes appearances as a recurring guest star on the television series “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” and an Emmy Award-winning role as Captain Davies in the mini-series “Roots.”
On stage:
Butte: Sept. 24 at the Mother Lode Theatre (406-723-3602 or www.buttearts.org)
Helena: Sept. 25 at the Myrna Loy Center (406-443-0287 or www.myrnaloycenter.com)
