The renowned California theatre, which recently emerged from Chapter 11, will present Asner in FDR Oct. 12-Nov. 7, with an official opening set for Oct. 13. The one-man play by Dore Schary is based on Schary's Sunrise at Campobello. Uggams will bring her solo show, Leslie Uggams Uptown Downtown, to the Playhouse Nov. 16-Dec. 12, with an official opening planned for Nov. 19.
Tickets for both productions are now on sale.
"My sheer joy at the fact that the Playhouse is resuming what we do best, which is producing great work on the stage, is tremendously heightened by the announcement that these two extraordinary artists will bring their incredible theatrical magic to our theatre," said Sheldon Epps, Pasadena Playhouse artistic director. "I know that our subscribers- and indeed theatre lovers from all over Southern California - will be entranced by Ed's brilliant incarnation of President Roosevelt, and swept away by the story of Leslie's own life and history as told through a glorious array of great songs, delivered splendidly in the distinct and magical Uggams Way. Once again, the lights of our theatre will glow, as they have so often in the past, with the tremendous energy that great performers bring to our stage."
Asner, best known for his work on television's "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Lou Grant" and "Roots," has appeared on the New York stage in Ivanov, The Tempest, Face of a Hero, King Henry V, and Born Yesterday.
Uggams, who also appeared in "Roots" and at the Pasadena Playhouse previously as Lena Horne in the musical Stormy Weather, won a Tony Award for Hallelujah, Baby! Her recent Broadway credits include On Golden Pond, Thoroughly Modern Millie and King Hedley II, with additional Off-Broadway appearances in First Breeze of Summer, The Old Settler and Thunder Knocking on the Door. As previously reported, the rest of the Playhouse season will include Gian Carlo Menotti's one-act opera Amahl and the Night Visitors (Dec. 16-18), The Pasadena Dance Theatre's presentation of The Nutcracker Ballet (Dec. 24-31) and the original musical Dangerous Beauty (January 2011, dates TBA), based on the film of the same name and featuring book and verse by Jeannine Dominy, lyrics by Amanda McBroom, music by Michele Brourman and direction by Tony nominee Sheryl Kaller (Next Fall).
The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue in Pasadena. For tickets, call (626) 356-PLAY or visit pasadenaplayhouse.org.
