The Hillsdale College theatre department will be performing “Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play” Oct. 15-16 at 7:30 p.m. Directed by Professor Emeritus George Angell, the production is a staged reading of American playwright Anne Washburn’s 2012 play.
“Of course the plays of the staged reading series can be seen and enjoyed by anyone,” Angell said. “But the series is principally designed for students who are actively studying drama to be a showcase to hear and consider plays that are significant, but which they may not otherwise have a chance to experience. The series generally alternates between classics and brand new plays.”
“Mr. Burns” premiered in Washington, D.C. in May 2012 before moving to New York City in August until October, 2013. It is centered around survivors of an apocalypse, recalling the episode “Cape Feare” of “The Simpsons” while skipping forward in time to seven years, and then 75 years later.
“On one level, the play is a dystopian post-apocalyptic science fiction fable,” Angell said. “It also uses my all-time favorite episode of “The Simpsons” as the basis of the story, and on top of all that, it also seems to me to be a complete history of Western theatre in reverse, from tales around the campfire to the formality of Greek tragedy.”
Sophomore Nikoleta Klikovac, who plays Quincy and Scratchy, said Angell has taken inspiration from Greek theatre.
“Even though this is a fairly modern show, we use a chanting Greek chorus, wear masks, and create soundscapes on stage,” Klikovac said. “I never would have thought this show would act as a bridge between things I have studied and their concepts actualized onstage.”
“Cape Feare” will be shown at 7:00 p.m. in the Hames Room in the Fine Arts Building, with the staged reading of “Mr. Burns” beginning at 7:30 p.m.
“Besides enjoying themselves, I hope the audience will leave with a better understanding of how fleeting and fragile our modern way of life might be,” Angell said.
