Nov 20

Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play

Written by Anne Washburn
Score by Michael Friedman
Directed by Tatiana Baccari
Music Direction by Chris Renaud
NOV 20–23, 2024

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Post-Apocalyptic Society & Pop Culture Nostalgia

After the collapse of civilization, a group of survivors share a campfire and begin to piece together the plot of The Simpsons episode “Cape Feare” entirely from memory. Seven years later, this and other snippets of pop culture (sitcom plots, commercials, jingles and pop songs) have become the live entertainment of a post-apocalyptic society, sincerely trying to hold onto its past. Seventy-five years later, these are the myths and legends from which new forms of performance are created. Mr. Burns oscillates between mounting dread and inexorable silliness as it explores “Americanness,” and a future mythology based on pop culture nostalgias. The adventures of the cartoon Simpsons — parents Homer and Marge, their children Bart and Lisa, and their arch-enemy, Mr. Burns — morph into lore in Washburn’s post-electric world, telling origin stories of a recreated world and cautionary tales of the one that’s been destroyed.

“It’s surprising and bizarre at times but at it’s core is a story of hope, regrowth and preservation.”

-Tatiana Baccari | Director