MR. BURNS: A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY Begins Tonight at Portland Playhouse

An unapologetically original commentary on the significance of storytelling - starring The Simpsons.

Anne Washburn's MR. BURNS: A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY at Portland Playhouse asks "What becomes of pop culture after the apocalypse?"

Beginning around a campfire and winding its way across The Playhouse property, MR BURNS: A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY is a journey spanning three post-catastrophe, post-electricity generations.

After all has been laid to waste, storytelling becomes the currency of choice. Characters cling to the recounting of The Simpsons' Cape Feare episode, first as a salve then as means of survival. As time passes, the antics of Homer, Bart, Sideshow Bob and others morph from memories to grand mythic tales. A growing tension among surviving tribes mixed in with a little Gilbert and Sullivan song and dance ensures audiences are in for a wacky, geeky, unapologetically original theatrical treat.

The production has many ties to the city of Portland, from hometown boy Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons to MR.BURNS' playwright and graduate of Reed College Anne Washburn, to local band Blitzen Trapper's Brian Koch, starring as Matt. Famed dancer Kemba Shannon choreographs and stars in the show.

"We are very excited to produce the regional debut of MR. BURNS," says Portland Playhouse Artistic Director and show director Brian Weaver. "As always, it is our mission to activate surprise, delight, and challenge in our lives by exposing audiences to artistically forward shows. MR. BURNS: A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY aims to do just that."

PORTLAND PLAYHOUSE, now in its seventh season of making theatre for diverse audiences in Portland, is a space for all people to come together to celebrate the complexity of our shared human condition.

Cast:

Tobias Anderson - Sam

Brian Koch - Matt

Isaac Lamb - Gibson

Cristi Miles - Maria

Jennifer Rowe - Jenny

Kemba Shannon - Colleen

Laura Faye Smith - Quincy

Adriana Bordea, Emma Bridges, Corinne Gaucher - Understudies

Creative Team:

Brian Weaver - Director

Peter Ksander - Scenic and Lighting Designer

Ashton Hull - Costume Designer

Rachel Peterson Schmerge - Props Designer

Eric Nordin - Music Director

Kemba Shannon - Choreographer

Meredith Matthews- Stage Manager

Thyra Hartshorn - Production Manger

Sarah Gehring - Assistant Director

Kristina Mast - Assistant Stage Manager

Alexandra Deahl - Assistant Set Designer

Ry Burke - Assistant Lighting Designer

DETAILS:

MR. BURNS: A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY

Performance Dates: TONIGHT, May 13 - June 7, 2015

Opening night: May 16, 2015

Venue: Portland Playhouse, 602 NE Prescott St, Portland, OR 97211

Tickets: $20-$36

Box Office: (503) 488-5822 or www.portlandplayhouse.org

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