Space 55 showcased Anne Washburn’s dark comedy, “Mr. Burns, a post-electric play” this weekend. The show centered around one of American television’s most iconic families: the Simpsons.
Our story begins with five of our seven characters sitting around a campfire in the woods. The set design is simplistic but has enough detail to convey the right message — the back walls feature paintings of trees in the distance and the campfire is detailed in texture, even including a smoke machine which realistically goes off as a cast member adds a log to refuel the fire. The characters are attempting to recall an episode of “The Simpsons” entitled “Cape Feare” — a parody of the 1991 Robert De Niro film “Cape Fear.”
A scuffling in the woods sets them on edge enough to bring out their shotguns. Keep in mind, this play comes with a warning; there will be gunshot sounds. The figure who appears is Gibson, played by Cody Goulder, arms raised high to call off the other characters’ weapons.
The crew watches as their leader, Matt, played by BJ Garrett, pats down the newcomer. A notebook found in the character’s backpack acts as a transition for the others to reveal their own notebooks.
The emotion drastically changes from that of carefree friends to the lonesome survivors of a radioactive explosion.
Our original five characters take turns listing names of their loved ones in the hopes that Gibson will recall anyone. The lights dim as the feeling of hope leaves the survivors.
Act 2, titled “Rehearsal,” fast-forwards seven years later. Our cast, reminiscing about the popular show, have bought the rights and revived “The Simpsons.”
The apocalyptic event still has its effect on the characters. Once again, the depression is practically palpable.
Comedic relief is present in the form of acted-out commercials. An interesting and admittedly hilarious aspect of the show is the a capella “commercial” music. The cast chime in with their “da-da’s” “zoom’s” and “wah’s” in the fashion the quirky show calls for.
The audience went wild when the cast performed tracks from Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and Jay-Z. Their voices were stunning, though the choreography could have been a bit more polished.
The show’s namesake, Mr. Burns, played by BJ Garrett as well, makes his star appearance in the final act. The entire third act reenacts a boat scene from the original “Simpsons” episode. There are few differences between the play and the Simpsons episode, the most obvious being the change in villain: instead of “Simpsons” antagonist Sideshow Bob, the villain is a power plant owner. This change was most likely added to complement the radioactive apocalyptic event.
Brianne Holland-Stergar gave a ferocious and heart-breaking performance as Bart Simpson, the play’s menace of a hero. There was singing, dancing and a knife-fight all atop a boathouse swaying over a lake of crocodiles and piranhas.
In accordance with the “American pop culture” sitcom, Washburns’ “Mr. Burns” ends on a patriotic note. The characters stand in a shoulder-to-shoulder line and proudly sing about being American as an American flag rolls down behind them. A perfect backdrop for the less-than-perfect, all-American family.
“Mr. Burns” was a hilarious, dark and quirky tale about the evolution of a popular culture as well as an ode to America’s favorite troublemaker.
“Mr. Burns” will be playing at Space 55 on Seventh and Pierce streets through Oct. 25. Tickets are $15.
Contact the author at Lauren.Negrete@asu.edu. Contact the columnist at mbilker@asu.edu.
