The Inspiration Behind FDR's Very Happy Hour
The creative spark for FDR’s Very Happy Hour developed when we (Regan and Graham, co-creators) met up at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in 2016. We were discussing the lack of disability representation in theatre and beyond, including omissions of our greatest disabled role models from the public consciousness. Given that Regan lives with paraplegia, she is always seeking (and rarely finding) opportunities to play complex characters where her wheelchair is an asset and won’t be second-guessed by directors as to the reason for its presence.
FDR kept rising to the surface as an exceedingly complex human who, despite rather conventional representations in movies, plays, etc. (also usually by a nondisabled actor), was full of surprises. And, with whom Regan felt a deeply shared kinship as a fellow changemaker, optimist, and someone who also adapted to an entirely new existence following a fundamental physical change.
Trump was then elected for the first time, and FDR was being frequently cited as the country was wrestling with shifts in social programs, leadership that seemed to lack integrity, and the precariousness of the future. It felt like the country needed the return of FDR.
Early in our research, we learned about FDR’s White House “children’s hour” – aka cocktail/happy hour – and from there we didn’t turn back. We knew we wanted to create an unpretentious, interactive show where FDR would host guests from the contemporary world for a happy hour experience…inviting them into a cozy space to not only talk and reconnect as humans but also dig into the honest complexities of leadership and the current moment.
The show blends FDR’s history with contemporary energy, engaging the guests in “cozy doozie” activities, featuring a real-life “changemaker” from the local community, and highlighting a few fun featured guests. The show design also incorporates accessibility elements in innovative ways, including American Sign Language, captioning, and audio description, ensuring access for all.
We’re incredibly proud of FDR’s Very Happy Hour as a celebration of FDR and his legacy, but that doesn’t shy away from addressing the importance of honesty and accountability for the current generation. Most importantly, it’s a show that redelivers FDR – a man of the people – to a new generation, with dashes of humor, irreverence, and unconventionality we think FDR would feel honored by.
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