Anne Washburn's Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play is now playing at the invaluable Playwrights Horizons. With music by Michael Friedman and directed by Steve Cosson, Mr. Burns might just be the most unusual show you see this season. The play begins in the not-too-distant future after some sore of catastrophe. Survivors band together, trade names of people they've met who are still alive in hope of hearing about loved ones, and recount episodes of The Simpsons. The play jumps forward seven years in act two, after a brief pause, as society begins to rebuild and our group of survivors are staging Simpsons episodes (complete with commercials) as entertainment, including pop song production numbers, for others in what appears to be a thriving business enterprise. Act three jumps 70 years further into the future, where these Simpsons recreations have taken on mythical, operatic stats where we are treated to a full production of what this entertainment genre has become.
We suggest a fresh (or first time) viewing of the Simpsons episode "Cape Feare" if you are planning on seeing Mr. Burns. It will definitely enhance your experience. Suggestion to Playwrights Horizons: have this playing in the lobby pre-show and invite audience to come early!
You can view the episode online HERE.
This is a show that will stick with you. It's thought-provoking and smart and visually exciting. Look for a lot of good reviews.
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