FDR's Very Happy Hour

WORLD PREMIERE

written by Regan Linton

directed by M. Graham Smith

Overview

Franklin Delano Roosevelt hosted a cocktail hour nearly every day at the White House, welcoming folks from different backgrounds to sip martinis, laugh, and connect. Inspired by FDR’s love of stirring up drinks and lively conversation to unwind in challenging times, this immersive new play mixes humor and history to build on this tradition for our era, asking how the 32nd President’s triumphs and failures might illuminate our own civic health. As FDR invites us to ponder life, a complicated legacy, and the pursuit of community, strangers become friends—and perhaps, together, we can find ways to talk with our neighbors again.

This project prioritizes exploring the creation of an accessible experience for the fullest human spectrum possible. Open Captioning, ASL Interpretation, Audio Description, and design of the physical space for wheelchair access are part of the show. (FDR used a wheelchair, after all.)

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Date:
Wed October 15, 2025 - Sun October 26, 2025
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Content Warning: Production contains stage weapons, staged physical violence, intimate partner violence, suicide, and blood. This is a non-exhaustive list, as it can be challenging to recognize how elements will affect individuals. Please email boxoffice@actorstheatre.org if you need more information.

FDR's Very Happy Hour

FDRs Very Happy Hour – World Premiere

Franklin Delano Roosevelt hosted a cocktail hour nearly every day at the White House, welcoming folks from different backgrounds to sip martinis, laugh, and connect. Inspired by FDR’s love of stirring up drinks and lively conversation to unwind in challenging times, this immersive new play mixes humor and history to build on this tradition for our era, asking how the 32nd President’s triumphs and failures might illuminate our own civic health. As FDR invites us to ponder life, a complicated legacy, and the pursuit of community, strangers become friends—and perhaps, together, we can find ways to talk with our neighbors again.

This project prioritizes exploring the creation of an accessible experience for the fullest human spectrum possible. Open Captioning, ASL Interpretation, Audio Description, and design of the physical space for wheelchair access are part of the show. (FDR used a wheelchair, after all.)

WORLD PREMIERE

written by Regan Linton

directed by M. Graham Smith

Dates and Tickets

Oct 15, 2025 - Oct 26, 2025
FDR's Very Happy Hour
Wed
,
October 15, 2025
20
Thu
,
October 16, 2025
30
Fri
,
October 17, 2025
30
Sat
,
October 18, 2025
30
Sat
,
October 18, 2025
30
Sun
,
October 19, 2025
30
Wed
,
October 22, 2025
30
Thu
,
October 23, 2025
30
Fri
,
October 24, 2025
30
Sat
,
October 25, 2025
30
Sat
,
October 25, 2025
30
Sun
,
October 26, 2025
30

Meet the Teachers

The Cast
No items found.
Class Instructors
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Production Team
* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Closed Caption Performances
Student & Educator Nights
Every Wednesday. Discounted tickets for students and educators are available for $15 plus fees.
ASL Interpretation
Available by request - email boxoffice@actorstheatre.org
Run Time
Age Recommendation
Grade Recommendation
Content Warning
Production contains stage weapons, staged physical violence, intimate partner violence, suicide, and depictions of blood.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, or if you want to learn more about this issue, check out these RESOURCES. For immediate assistance, call the 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

If you or someone you know is thinking about self-harm or suicide, check out these RESOURCES. For immediate assistance, call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273- 8255.\

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Hear From Our Members

The Actors Theater complex houses 3 theaters of varying sizes. Each season they put on roughly 5-6 regular shows, 3 holiday shows, and host the world renowned Humana Festival of New American Plays.
King John
The Actors Theater complex houses 3 theaters of varying sizes. Each season they put on roughly 5-6 regular shows, 3 holiday shows, and host the world renowned Humana Festival of New American Plays.
Roger Anthony
Thank you, thank you for bringing radically inclusive theater to our city. The shows you have chosen to put on, as well as the superlative performances, have brought us back to the theater.
Anthony Rogerr
The Actors Theater complex houses 3 theaters of varying sizes. Each season they put on roughly 5-6 regular shows, 3 holiday shows, and host the world renowned Humana Festival of New American Plays.
Roger Anthonyy
Two performers laughing on stage at Actors Theatre, highlighting Louisville performing arts.

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