MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY Begins Tonight at the Unicorn Theatre

MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY by Anne Washburn, featuring a score by Michael Friedman with lyrics by Anne Washburn, will be directed by Theodore Swetz and co-produced with UMKC Theatre at Unicorn Theatre this December.

MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY asks us to imagine what will happen to humanity after the apocalypse. This imaginative dark comedy follows a new civilization of survivors as they band together to build a community from the rubble of the world we now know. Jump into a wild future where The Simpsons and the pop culture of today becomes the mythology of tomorrow in this unexpected, musical love-letter to the power of live theatre.

Directed by Theodore Swetz, the play features Matt Rapport as Sam/Homer/Mr. Burns, Manon Halliburton as Maria/Lisa & 2nd FBI Agent/Marge, Tim Scott as Matt/Bart/Homer, Jessalyn Kincaid as Quincy/Wife (Business Woman)/Bart, Cheryl Benge as Itchy/Musician, Maya Jackson as Jenny/Marge/Edna, Mariem S. Diaz as Colleen/1st FBI Agent/Lisa, and Matthew A. King as Gibson/Husband & Sideshow Bob/Scratchy.

MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY is on Unicorn Theatre's Levin Stage located at 3828 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111. The show runs tonight, December 2nd - 27th, 2015. Previews are December 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Opening Night is December 5th.

Featured Friday pre-show events are scheduled for December 11th and 18th at 7 p.m. and will offer a free showing of The Simpsons "Cape Feare" episode that is central to the plot of MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY. Join us around an indoor "campfire" in our conference room and enjoy delicious s'mores before seeing the play at 8 p.m.

Performances run Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. If you are unable to afford a ticket, you may Pay What U Can at performances on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, because we believe art is for everyone. Talk back performances, where patrons are encouraged to stay after the show and discuss the play with the actors and director, are scheduled for December 8th, 13th and 20th. The week of Christmas, there will be a Monday Pay What U Can performance on December 21st at 7:30 p.m. and a Saturday matinee on December 26th at 3:00 p.m. There will be no performances on December 24th and 25th.

Tickets are now on sale. Call 816-531-PLAY (7529) EXT. 10, go online at www.UnicornTheatre.org or buy in person at the box office located at 3828 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64111. Special discounts are available for seniors (65+), students, and patrons under age 30.

About the Director, Cast and Creative Team:

Theodore Swetz (DIRECTOR) began his career with the NY Shakespeare Festival in Central Park and Lincoln Center. He received his training from legendary teacher's Stella Adler, Morris Carnovsky and Phoebe Brand, all members of The Group Theater. He was an original member of American Players Theatre, a "Tony" nominated classical repertory company, where he acted, taught and served as associate artistic director. Last season at the Unicorn, Ted portrayed the Tiger in Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo and directed the critically acclaimed production of Tribes. Some years back he also acted in The Lieutenant of Inishmore playing the role of Donny. Other directing credits include Unicorn: All in the Timing, Mojo, Sideman, Rabbit Hole, Inspecting Carol, Seminar; The Coterie: Ferdinand the Bull (the musical); KCAT: Talley's Folly; KC Rep: The Comedy of Errors; Riverside Theatre in the Park: Ah, Wilderness!, Othello, The School for Scandal; UMKC Theatre: The Learned Ladies, The Liar, The Lady from the Sea, The Country Wife, As You Like It, Killer Joe and Room Service. Other acting roles include, KC Rep: Friar Laurence (R&J), Gloucester (King Lear), Argan (The Imaginary Invalid), Max (Laughter on the 23rd Floor); The Coterie: Ben (Ben Franklin's Apprentice); Utah Shakespeare: Polonius (Hamlet), Percy (The Boyfriend); Shakespeare Santa Cruz: Falstaff (The Merry Wives of Windsor), Sorin (The Seagull), Claudius (Hamlet); and Riverside Theatre in the Park: Shylock (The Merchant of Venice). Ted currently serves UMKC as The Patricia McIlrath Endowed Professor of Theatre and Head of Acting for the MFA, Professional Actor Training Program. He would like to thank Cynthia Levin for her ferocious artistic leadership and her warm friendship.

Matt Rapport (SAM/HOMER/MR. BURNS) is truly delighted to return to the Unicorn stage, having last appeared in Cock. Other recent Unicorn credits include The Salvation of Iggy Scrooge, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Miss Witherspoon, and In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play. In addition to being an actor, he is also the Director of Education for the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival.

Maya Jackson (JENNY/MARGE/EDNA/CO-CHOREOGRAPHER) is a 3rd year MFA Acting Student at UMKC. Some favorite UMKC credits include: Philaminte in The Learned Ladies, Grusha in The Caucasian Chalk Circle, and Dionyza/Bawd in Pericles. Other regional credits include: The Winter's Tale, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival; Holly Down in Heaven, Forum Theatre; and Full Circle, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company.

Manon Halliburton (MARIA/LISA & 2ND FBI AGENT/MARGE) is thrilled to be back at the Unicorn after last appearing in Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. She has been an actress for over 20 years and has worked throughout the country. Later this season you can catch her in The Whale here at the Unicorn. She is also a professional photographer and her work can be seen at www.manonhalliburtonphotography.com.

Tim Scott (MATT/BART/HOMER) is thrilled to return to the Unicorn where he was last seen in Hands on a Hardbody. Having appeared with nearly every professional theatre in Kansas City, Tim was seen earlier this year in The New Theatre's production of The Addams Family and KC Rep's production of Hair: Retrospection. A two-time recipient of Pitch Magazine's "Best of Kansas City" Award, Tim also operates as Producer/Director for Musical Theater Heritage's critically acclaimed Musical Monday series, serves as a regular correspondent for KCTV 5's weekday morning show, Better Kansas City, and was recently honored with an Emmy Award as part of KCPT and The Kauffman Foundation's production of Get in the Ring. Tim is perhaps still most identified for his previous work as the award-wining Emcee for the Kansas City Royals. www.TimmyScott.com - @timscott411

Mariem S. Diaz (COLLEEN/1ST FBI AGENT/LISA) is excited to be returning to the Unicorn Theatre after appearing in the production of Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. Credits include: Kansas City Repertory Theatre's production of Our Town directed by David Cromer; The Audio Cart (KC Fringe Festival); The Learned Ladies directed by Theodore Swetz; Freedom Rider directed by Ricardo Khan; Mere Mortals...or What You Will; The Epic Project; Troilus and Cressida (UMKC Theatre). Education: BA, Gettysburg College; third year acting MFA, UMKC. Upcoming: And Justice for Some: The Freedom Trial of Anthony Burns (Coterie Theatre).

Matthew A. King (GIBSON/HUSBAND & SIDESHOW BOB/SCRATCHY) Unicorn Theatre debut. Some previous credits include: Spinning Tree Theatre: West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Violet, Ain't Misbehavin', EGADS! Theatre: Godspell, Musical Theater Heritage: South Pacific, The Coterie: Once Upon A Mattress, The Living Room: The Death of Cupid, Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre: Ragtime & The King & I, Western Playhouse, New York Musical Theatre Festival premiere: Mother Divine. BFA, Roosevelt Conservatory Chicago. Matthew is so very thankful to be a part of this exciting production and new work. He would like to thank his incredibly supportive friends for all their love. www.matthewaking.com

Jessalyn Kincaid (QUINCY/WIFE [BUSINESS WOMAN]/BART) is tickled to be back at the Unicorn, where she was last seen in Hands on a Hardbody. She has been fortunate to work at some of the finest professional theatres KC has to offer, including KC Rep, New Theatre, KCAT, American Heartland, Quality Hill Playhouse, The Coterie, and MTH. Jessalyn is one of the founders and performing members of the Star Spangled Betties, a female trio specializing in 1940's swing music. www.JessalynKincaid.com

Cheryl Benge (ITCHY/MUSICIAN) is very happy to be back on the Unicorn stage. She has been seen at the Unicorn in many productions over the years including Ruthless, Sylvia and The Laramie Project. She has also been seen at the Coterie Theatre, Theatre for Young America and Quality Hill Playhouse. She has written and collaborated on 14 shows at TYA and is co-author of Six Women with Brain Death or Expiring Minds Want to Know which was developed and performed at the Unicorn as well as many theatres across America.

The creative team for The Brothers Size is Tanya Brown (stage manager), Jonathan Robertson (music director), Stephanie Roberts (co-choreographer), Maya Jackson (co-choreographer), Trevor Frederiksen (scenic designer), Nicole Jaja (lighting/projections designer), Jamie Leonard (associate projections designer), Jae Shanks (sound designer), Sarah M. Oliver (co-costume designer), Paige K. Beltowski (co-costume designer), Joshua Christ (co-properties designer), Colleen Shea (co-properties designer), Meg Dolben (UMKC technical director), Andrew Steele (assistant technical director), Jamie Lindemann (technical coordinator), Jamie Alderiso (dramaturg), Jason Bauer (sound engineer), Glenn Linder (master electrician), Matiara Huff (light board programmer), Shannon Barondeau (assistant lighting designer), Afton Earp (production assistant), Katherine Gehrlein (production assistant) and Rita Sobbing (sound board operator).

Anne Washburn's (PLAYWRIGHT) play, MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY, was produced by Playwrights Horizons, Woolly Mammoth (DC), and The Almeida (London). Other plays include 10 out of 12, The Internationalist, A Devil at Noon, Apparition, The Communist Dracula Pageant, I Have Loved Strangers, The Ladies, The Small, and a transadaptation of Euripides' Orestes. Awards include 2015 Whiting Award, 2015 PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation Theater Award, the Guggenheim, a NYFA Fellowship, a Time Warner Fellowship, Susan Smith Blackburn finalist, and residencies at MacDowell and Yaddo. She is an associated artist with The Civilians, Clubbed Thumb, New Georges, Chochiqq, and is an alumna of New Dramatists and 13P. Currently commissioned by MTC, Yale Rep and CSC. Her play Antilia Pneumatica will premiere in March 2016 (Playwrights Horizons) in NYC.

Founded in 1974, Unicorn Theatre enhances Kansas City by developing and producing professional, provocative new plays. We create opportunities for the advancement of emerging and established actors, directors, playwrights, designers, technicians and administrative staff. Unicorn Theatre is under the artistic and executive leadership of Producing Artistic Director Cynthia Levin, who joined the company in 1979. From a newly expanded home in the Midtown neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri, the Unicorn houses two stages-The Levin Stage (formerly The Main Stage) and The Jerome Stage (added in 2008). A fully professional not-for-profit theatre, the theatre operates under agreement with Actor's Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States. The Unicorn is a founding member of the National New Play Network, an alliance of not-for-profit professional theatres that champions the development, production and continued life of new plays for the American theatre; and is a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group, Inc., the national service organization for the not-for-profit professional theatre. Financial assistance for this theatre has been provided by The National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency; corporate and foundation gifts; and the generous individuals throughout the community we serve.

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