MR. BURNS: A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY Begins Tonight at Portland Playhouse
By: BWW News Desk May. 13, 2015
An unapologetically original commentary on the significance of storytelling - starring The Simpsons.
Anne Washburn's MR. BURNS: A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY at Portland Playhouse asks "What becomes of pop culture after the apocalypse?"
Beginning around a campfire and winding its way across The Playhouse property, MR BURNS: A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY is a journey spanning three post-catastrophe, post-electricity generations.
After all has been laid to waste, storytelling becomes the currency of choice. Characters cling to the recounting of The Simpsons' Cape Feare episode, first as a salve then as means of survival. As time passes, the antics of Homer, Bart, Sideshow Bob and others morph from memories to grand mythic tales. A growing tension among surviving tribes mixed in with a little Gilbert and Sullivan song and dance ensures audiences are in for a wacky, geeky, unapologetically original theatrical treat.
The production has many ties to the city of Portland, from hometown boy Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons to MR.BURNS' playwright and graduate of Reed College Anne Washburn, to local band Blitzen Trapper's Brian Koch, starring as Matt. Famed dancer Kemba Shannon choreographs and stars in the show.
"We are very excited to produce the regional debut of MR. BURNS," says Portland Playhouse Artistic Director and show director Brian Weaver. "As always, it is our mission to activate surprise, delight, and challenge in our lives by exposing audiences to artistically forward shows. MR. BURNS: A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY aims to do just that."
PORTLAND PLAYHOUSE, now in its seventh season of making theatre for diverse audiences in Portland, is a space for all people to come together to celebrate the complexity of our shared human condition.
Cast:
Tobias Anderson - Sam
Brian Koch - Matt
Isaac Lamb - Gibson
Cristi Miles - Maria
Jennifer Rowe - Jenny
Kemba Shannon - Colleen
Laura Faye Smith - Quincy
Adriana Bordea, Emma Bridges, Corinne Gaucher - Understudies
Creative Team:
Brian Weaver - Director
Peter Ksander - Scenic and Lighting Designer
Ashton Hull - Costume Designer
Rachel Peterson Schmerge - Props Designer
Kemba Shannon - Choreographer
Meredith Matthews- Stage Manager
Thyra Hartshorn - Production Manger
Sarah Gehring - Assistant Director
Kristina Mast - Assistant Stage Manager
Alexandra Deahl - Assistant Set Designer
Ry Burke - Assistant Lighting Designer
DETAILS:
MR. BURNS: A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY
Performance Dates: TONIGHT, May 13 - June 7, 2015
Opening night: May 16, 2015
Venue: Portland Playhouse, 602 NE Prescott St, Portland, OR 97211
Tickets: $20-$36
Box Office: (503) 488-5822 or www.portlandplayhouse.org
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