DANBURY — Talking in person to Emmy-winning actor Ed Asner and his God Help Us co-star and Newtown resident Anthony DePoto reveals two distinct personality types that are easy to imagine playing opposite each other on stage with colleague Karen Robinson tossed in between as a catalyst.

The more than capable trio comprise the three-ingredient recipe for laughs in the politically charged Connecticut premier that is heading for the Danbury Palace for a one-off matinee performance on Sunday, April 7.

In this fast moving one-act, legendary actor Ed Asner promises to try and bring audiences of all political leanings a little closer to civility in this clever and thought-provoking comedy.

God Help Us features Asner playing a wise, cantankerous, and wildly funny God who is not at all pleased with today’s politics and the state of His creation.

As he confronts DePoto and Robinson — two political pundits named Larry and Randi, respectively —a lively debate about the issues of our time ensues. While Randi presents the conservative viewpoint, Larry leans liberal. To further complicate matters, Randi and Larry also happen to be ... surprise! — ex-lovers.

Asner has enjoyed a career full of diverse roles as an actor, voice-actor, and former president of the Screen Actors Guild. He is best known for his role as Lou Grant from the landmark TV comedy The Mary Tyler Moore Show and the spin-off series Lou Grant. That role was a television history-maker for Asner, as it represented the first time the same character and portraying actor morphed from doing the role in a half-hour sitcom to a one-hour drama.

The salty-talking Asner also endeared himself to a more recent generation of fans when he was chosen to do the voice of Carl Fredricksen in Pixar’s animated film Up and starring as a the near deity Santa Claus in the Will Ferrell hit Elf. The recipient of eight Emmy Awards and five Golden Globe Awards, Asner continues to be equally adept at playing comedy as well as drama.

So what makes Asner so genuinely excited to be coming to Connecticut to play God?

“I have such unique qualities ... man, why would you even ask that question?” Asner replied. “Who could approach my interpretation of God any better? And I don’t even have to walk on water.”

In a call from his California office, he reflected on why this role was so appealing.

“It’s such a perfect play for me,” Asner said. “It’s almost impossible for anything else to rank up against it. It’s a combined effort from two funny writers. They defuse current political situations intelligently enough, which makes the discussion worthwhile, and it gets a lot of laughs. The audience gets to participate through the colloquy of the two differing partners.”

While DePoto, an actor, director, and playwright, was born and schooled in neighboring Danbury, he now calls Sandy Hook home. During his career, he has racked up acting credits that include Lord Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, Mike Talman in Wait Until Dark, and Charlie in On Golden Pond.

His directing credits include Hairspray, In The Heights, Into The Woods, and Addams Family. A passionate theater educator, he is the artistic director of InnerAct Theatre, co-founder of ERA Productions, adjunct professor for Western Connecticut State University’s Theatre Arts Department, and region one chairman for The Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival-Scholarship Program.

Chatting with DePoto, he discussed what drew him to star alongside Asner’s God character.

“Carol Spiegel at the Palace was approached by Ed Asner’s daughter Liza about doing the show, and they needed actors,” he said. “So she reached out to me and asked me if I knew a female actor to play my ex-wife as well. What’s interesting as an actor, we’ll only have three days to rehearse and complete the play in that space.”

DePoto said he connects with his character, Larry, as the tried and true Democrat to Robinson’s hard-line Republican in the political satire.

“It’s also a little over the top sometimes, so as an actor, I have to figure out the best way to play the part. I’m a Democrat, but there are moments in the play where Larry has to say things I personally don’t agree with. It’s also challenging because it’s a three-part play, so we’re all on stage for the entire time; at times it’s a wordy play, and there were some historical references I had to look up and understand, because if I’m saying things as a character, I want to understand what I’m talking about.”

Robinson is an actress and singer also hailing from Danbury. Her acting credits include Jewel Mosley in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Sarah’s friend in Ragtime, and Joanne in Company.

She recently performed in the International Playwright Festival at the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre in Torrington. But her favorite theatrical moment took place on the stage of The Warner Theatre next door when her leading man proposed to her during their final performance together in The Full Monty.

She also teaches math at Danbury High School.

God Help Us was written by Samuel Warren Joseph and Phil Proctor, produced by Liza Asner, and directed by Mitch Levine. Curtain for the April 7 matinee is at 3 pm.

Reserved seating is $50. Tickets may be purchased in advance by phone at 203-794-9944, online at thepalacedanbury.com, and at the box office starting one hour before showtime.

The Palace Danbury is at 165 Main Street. Free parking is readily available for patrons in the lot behind the building. For more information about this and all upcoming shows, visit thepalacedanbury.com.