Graced by Seeing Great “Grace” Cast, Including Ed Asner

Seeing “Grace” with its great four person cast of Paul Rudd, Michael Shannon (like Rachel Mol and Bobby Cannavale, an actor on HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” who is standing out on stage), Kate Arrington and the incomparable, Ed Asner was a great experience. The play written by Craig Wright is at the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street) and has only two performances left. Those performances are today at 8 p.m. and tomorrow at 3 p.m.

“Grace” is directed by Dexter Bullard and is visually stimulating as the characters move around in two Florida apartments. Issues of faith are addressed with humor and I believe, insight. All the actors give moving performances.

Additionally, all four actors took significant time on a cold night to sign programs and even pose for pictures after the performance. I found a similarity between Mr. Asner’s “Karl” and his incredible performance as “Axel Jordache” in “Rich Man Poor Man,” one of my favorites. I imitated some “Axel” (not a great rendition but sincere as imitation is) and Mr. Asner added some favorite “Axel” lines of his own. We had a nice chat and of course social activist, human rights activist, superb actor and it turns out nice guy, Asner hopes Leonard Peltier (see “Bring Leonard Peltier Home,” December 17, 2012) is given his freedom soon.

Ah injustice, God or not, believe or not believe (all themes in “Grace”) are concepts likely beyond our comprehension. We are able to “pick and choose” and perhaps hang on to something as we journey in this life. We certainly can invoke the “golden rule” and to paraphrase, be kind to each other.

Ed Asner