A Presidential Performance on Presidents Day

Originally scheduled to run last month, a stage production about the life of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was coincidentally rescheduled on Presidents Day.

Starring Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor Ed Asner from The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-77), Lou Grant (1977-82) and Up (2009), among other television shows and movies, FDR takes on the life of the United States' 32nd president. The 2010-11 production is sweeping playhouses across the country and stops at the  Theatre for one show Monday at 8 p.m.

Gary Gaydos, the James J. Eagan Center's manager, said the show sold out late last week.

"There's been a tremendous response for this," Gaydos said. "I would dare say that first of all, it's on Presidents Day, which is a happy accident, and it caught the imagination of people. Ed Asner is a well respected actor."

Tickets sold for $25 for students and seniors and $27 for adults.

In case of cancellations, the Eagan Center has established a waiting list for single seats. As of Thurday, though, the list was so long that those requesting to be added now are unlikely to find a seat.

"I'm pretty sure we have more than we can fill even with a miracle," Gaydos said.

FDR is a solo performance based on Sunrise at Campobello, a play written by Dore Schary that premiered on Broadway in 1958. Campobello Theatre Productions Inc. and Gero Productions, LLC. are producing the show.

Those hoping for some Civic Center entertainment this month need not fret about FDR selling out, Gaydos said.

A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline arrives in Florissant next weekend, and there are plenty of good seats still available. The show tells the famous classic country singer's life story and features hits like “Walkin' After Midnight," "Faded Love" and "Crazy."

The Civic Center's Applause Applause performing arts series continues this spring with Jury's Irish Cabaret, the U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors, The 39 Steps, a Best of Broadway show, and the annual Memorial Day Patriotic Salute.

Tickets for Civic Center shows can be purchased at the online box office.