The Gracie Theatre at Husson University kicks off its seventh season of shows on Oct. 4 with Ed Asner starring in his one-man show “A Man and His Prostate.” There is a 1 p.m. matinee performance and a 7 p.m. evening performance. Asner is best known for his work on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,”  its spin-off series “Lou Grant,” his role as Santa Claus in the comedy film “Elf,” and as the voice of elderly widower Carl Fredricksen in the Pixar Animation Studios’ film “UP.” 

The audience for the matinee performance at 1 p.m. will be a combination of members of the Husson community, invited guests from the Greater Bangor Area medical community, and the general public. The evening performance at 7 p.m. is open to the general public.

“A Man and His Prostate” is a comedic staged reading, written by, and about, Ed Weinberger, that takes one on a journey of pain, anatomy, and laughter - not necessarily in that order,” said Asner. The performance all revolves around one life-changing week in a foreign hospital. Events that week include a rectal exam, enemas, the fear of post-surgery impotence, and sex after 70. 

“Having Mr. Asner here on our stage is an incredible honor,” says Jeri Misler, managing director of the Gracie Theatre. “When I heard about this show, I knew it would be the perfect fit for Husson since many of our students are in health programs. The show will also delight anyone who grew up watching the iconic Mary Tyler Moore television show.”

Ed Asner is a television legend. He is the winner of eight Emmy Awards for his acting and has been nominated 27 times over the course of his 60 years as a television, film and stage performer. Developing his craft in Chicago and New York, Asner established himself as a solid and versatile actor. He was regularly featured in roles on the big screen and in such landmark television series as “The Outer Limits,” “Gunsmoke,” “The Wild West,” “Ironside,” and “Mission Impossible.” He has more than 100 television credits.

In addition, Asner, who lives in Los Angeles, made a name for himself as a trade unionist and a political activist. He served two terms as the president of the Screen Actors Guild, from 1981-1985. During this period, he was an outspoken critic of former SAG President and U.S. President Ronald Reagan for his Central American policy.

The show is based on Ed Weinberger’s real-life experiences with prostate cancer. Weinberger began his career in the early 1960s with Dick Gregory and wrote for such diverse comedians as Bob Hope, Richard Pryor and Johnny Carson (for five years on “The Tonight Show”). He also executive-produced and created “Amen,” Sparks, and “Good News.” Weinberger, the famous screenwriter and television producer, is best known for his work on the “Mary Tyler Moore Show” (writer and producer), “Doc” (producer), “Phyllis” (writer and producer), “The Betty White Show” (producer), and “Taxi “(creator, writer, and producer).  He has won three Golden Globe Awards, a Peabody, and nine Emmys. In 2000, he received the Writer’s Guild of America Lifetime Achievement Award. He lives in Los Angeles.

Tickets are available at their regular prices ranging from $28-49, depending on the show, and are available by calling 207-941-7888 or online at www.gracietheatre.com. 

Completed in October of 2009, the Gracie is Husson University's center for the fine and performing arts located at 1 College Circle, Bangor.  The beautiful 500-seat theatre is considered one of Maine’s premier performance venues. In addition, the Gracie also serves as a learning platform for students from the New England School of Communications in digital audio, sound mixing, set design and construction, lighting, acting and electronics. For more information, visit GracieTheatre.com.