WEST COAST Premiere of MR. BURNS A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY

When the lights go out and the world is done - the SIMPSONS WILL SURVIVE

American Conservatory Theatre, always a risk taker producing West Coast premiere of “Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play.”  Simpsons at the heart of the two act play with music.

A bit  “Cape Feare” and “H.M.S. Pinafore.”  Written by Anne Washburn, a former ACT youth academy student who went onto take UCB, and improv this work in NY - where it was well received .

The story opens about 82 years after the power has popped off. Washburn feels “even if a global warming or a nuclear meltdown destroyed us all, THE SIMPSONS would endure”

This  post apocalyptic tale, “Burns” is basically a re-enactment of the “Cape Feare” episode.   Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play  is not really a story about famous family, but in the first act we meet a camp of people who survived the meltdown, recalling lines from the show and trying to act them out.

At the act break - many of the ACT subscribers run for the doors, and the kids (the real fans confused or not) move down to the Orch seats to take on second act, the musical portion of the play. Colorful to the eye, but as dark as it can be. The Mikado, Gilbert & Sullivan classic opera is referenced in the first act, only to set up the G&S subtext to the musical part of the play. The amazing David Moschler plays all the needed instruments for this very funny and dark second Act.

The less you know about this work - the better it comes at you - Its a great cast.  It is edgy, funny, bizarre, and is the best production staged this season at A.C.T.  See it with an open mind and you don’t need to be a Simpsons fan to enjoy MR BURNS.

Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play:

Dark comedy. 

By Anne Washburn. Directed by Mark Rucker. 

Through March 15. $20-$120. 

American Conservatory Theater, 415 Geary St., S.F. 

Two hours, 15 minutes. 

(415) 749-2228. www.act-sf.org.