Mad Horse Theatre Company to Present MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY

When you think of post-apocalyptic heroes, Mad Max or Snake Plissken might immediately come to mind. But Bart and Homer Simpson? Ay, caramba!

Mad Horse Theatre Company turns your idea of heroism upside down and inside out with Anne Washburn's award-winning dark comedy, Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play, directed by Reba Short.

After a cataclysmic global event, a group of survivors clings to normalcy by trying to piece together the plot of their favorite episode of "The Simpsons" entirely from memory.

Fast-forward 7 years, and that episode, along with other snippets of pop culture--including commercials, pop songs, and jingles--have become live entertainment for a nostalgic populace trying to hold on to its past. Jump to 75 years later, and all have been elevated to the myth and legend of a new society, complete with all the pageantry that entails. Mr. Burns is a fascinating and funny exploration of the intersection of pop culture and high art, a dynamic paean to live theatre...and a nod to the universal appeal of Bart Simpson through the ages. Music is an integral part of the Mr. Burns experience, and Mad Horse has engaged Portland blues musician Lex Jones and harpist Brittany Cook to help bring the play's score to life.Director Reba Short says, "You know those songs that come on the radio and get stuck in your head? Now imagine hearing a few of those re-interpreted and re-imagined. Just like stories, music is essential to survival, and it's passed along in the DNA of humankind. The audience can expect to leave the theater with an unexpected song in their head, a new perspective of a television episode they've seen a billion times before, and a craving for a Diet Coke."
Mr. Burns features Mad Horse Company members Brent Askari, Shannon Campbell, Jake Cote, Marie Stewart Harmon, Christine Louise Marshall, and Allison McCall, along with Guest Artist Corey Gagne.

The artistic team includes Christopher Price (Set Design), Lex Jones & Brittany Cook (Musician Direction, Live Accompaniment and Sound Design), Christine Louise Marshall (Choreography), Jake Cote (Fight Choreography), Janice Gardner (Costume Design), Reba Short (Mask Design), Corey Anderson (Lighting Design), Katherine Saunier (Prop Design), Jennifer Halm-Perazone (Production Manager), and Meredythe Dehne Lindsey, Jennifer Crosby & Bianca Brown (Stage Management Team).

Artistic Director Christine Louise Marshall is thrilled that Mad Horse has taken on what playwright Washburn calls in her script notes "this beast of a play."

"This is the kind of play that reminds you that when you concentrate on every single element of what we call 'stagecraft,' the payoff is so exciting. This ensemble is terrific, and the play is wonderfully mind-blowing. Fascinating. Eerily funny, if that makes sense," sayS Marshall.

Mr. Burns runs May 4 through May 21, 2017, at the Mad Horse Theater in the historic Hutchins School, 24 Mosher Street, South Portland. Performance times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm, and Sunday afternoons at 2pm.

There will be an Opening Night Reception immediately following the Friday, May 5, performance. Everyone is invited to stay after the show, enjoy light snacks, and mingle with the cast, crew, and fellow theatre lovers.

A post-show Talkback will be held immediately after the Sunday, May 14, 2pm matinee. This is an opportunity to discuss the play with the director and actors.

Tickets are $23 for adults and $20 for seniors and students. As always, Mad Horse offers Pay What You Can performances. Pay What You Can dates for Mr. Burns are Thursday, May 4; Sunday, May 7; Thursday, May 11. Pay What You Can tickets are only available at the door on a first come, first served basis.

Reservations are strongly recommended. Purchase tickets online at www.madhorse.com or call 747-4148 for more information. Please call for Group Rates.

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