UCSB Department of Theatre & Dance to Present MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY

The UCSB Department of Theater and Dance is back again with their latest production, Mr. Burns, a post-electric play by Anne Washburn, in the Studio Theater March 4 - 12.

As part of the 2016-2017 season, Mr. Burns brings a self-reflexive perspective to the stage, by commenting on popular culture and what it means to have live theater as part of a society.

In a play essentially about survival, eight actors come together to tell a story that speaks volumes to the uncertain nature of the future and human survival mechanisms. "The archetypical conflicts of survival carry us down the River of Time," the show's director Tom Whitaker said, "Washburn's play is kind of like a cultural/anthropological dig." Told in three acts, the story honors current popular cultures while honoring tradition by bringing theater back to its ancient Greek roots. Ultimately, the play poses the questions of what will endure when the cataclysm arrives-when the grid fails, society crumbles, and we're faced with the task of rebuilding.

Mr. Burns was specifically chosen because of its smart and bold writing. When asked why he chose this specific piece, Whitaker said, "It has everything: singing, dancing and an amazing narrative journey. It boldly takes an audience from a nearly familiar place to the far future, a sort of new theater and finally the ritual organs of theater itself."

Washburn's imaginative dark comedy slowly propels us forward nearly a century, following a new civilization stumbling into its future. A triumphant hymn to live theater and the resilience of pop culture through the ages, Mr. Burns is a fascinating and theatrical exploration of how the pop culture of one era might evolve into the mythology of another.

As a collaborative production, the story comes to life with the combination of live music orchestrated by Jon Nathan, costumes by Lara de Bruijn, lighting by Michael Klaers, set design by Shaun Motley and choreography by Christina McCarthy, all working to find a unique style for the show. About the actors, Whitaker said, "It's a terrific cast. All are great singers and strong actors. The play is largely about community, and the actors have formed a very strong ensemble."

Don't miss what The New York Times calls a "downright brilliant" play and discover how an apocalypse, The Simpsons, and Ancient Greek theater all come together in one evening of live music, singing and dancing. For tickets and more information, visit www.theaterdance.ucsb.edu.

IF YOU GO:

Mr. Burns, a post-electric play

by Anne Washburn | score by Michael Friedman | lyrics by Anne Washburn

directed by Tom Whitaker

UCSB Studio Theater

March 4 /8pm

March 5 /2pm

March 7 - 11 /8pm

March 11 - 12 /2pm

$17 General Admission

$13 UCSB Student/Faculty/Staff/Alumni/General Student/Senior/Child