Dark comedy is tied to 'Simpsons' episode

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Oct. 27, 2016) The California Lutheran University Theatre Arts Department will present the dark comedy “Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play” in November.

The seven performances of this Mainstage Production are scheduled to start at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays Nov. 10 through 19 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20 in the Blackbox Studio Theatre on the Thousand Oaks campus.

“Mr. Burns” mixes Gilbert and Sullivan, pop songs, dance, re-creations of television ads and ritual performance in a commentary on modern culture. Written by Anne Washburn, the play was nominated for a 2014 Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play.

The show opens shortly after a worldwide apocalyptic event and the disappearance of electric power. Forming an alliance for survival, a group of survivors gathered around a campfire tries to recall the past. They entertain themselves by trying to recite the “Cape Feare” episode of the TV show “The Simpsons” that spoofed the Robert DeNiro movie.

In the second act, set seven years later, the survivors are now a touring theater company presenting the episode of “The Simpsons,” pop song medleys and commercials highlighting things that are no longer available in a world still without electricity. In the third act 75 years later, the show has evolved into a full theatrical production about the end of civilization with the Simpson family representing the archetype of human destruction and survival almost in the manner of Greek myth.

The play explores what people might do if technology disappeared and how mythology evolves.

The lead actors are Chris Reynolds-Baldwin, a theater arts major from Yucaipa; Brianna Bryan, a business administration major from Canoga Park; Sonora Carroll, a criminal justice major from Bothell, Wash.; Leah Dalrymple, a theater arts major from Simi Valley; Francisco Hermosillo, a music major from Camarillo; Cristian Lipps, a communication major from Valley Glen; Malissa Marlow, a theater arts major from Thousand Oaks; and Kaitlin Ruby, a theater arts major from Scottsdale, Arizona.

Michael J. Arndt, a theater arts professor, directs. The production features choreography by Jeff Wallach, scenic design by Erik Diaz, lighting design by Bo Tindell, costume design by Noelle Raffy and mask design by Stacy Logue. Freshman Paul Kellogg, a music production major from La Crescenta, provides musical direction and accompaniment.

The theater is located at 141 Memorial Parkway. Admission is $10. For reservations and information, call 805-493-3452. Tickets are also available at the door.