"Mr. Burns,a post-electric pLay" presented by Stage West

Mr. Burns, a post-electric play
play program

Stage West



On a warm Sunday afternoon, The Travelling Toe, met 2 other friends to take in the newest production at Stage West in Fort Worth.   The title of the play, "Mr. Burns, a post-electric play" was written by Anne Washburn.  In the 3rd act there is a musical performed during the final scenes and Ms. Washburn wrote the lyrics and the musical score was written by Michael Friedman.

Anne Washburn

The Travelling Toe must admit that words fail to describe this play as it was very different, eccentric, funny, weird, creative. The announcer introduced the play by saying that man has always had a need to tell stories from cave drawings to current times. What is it that we tell, how do we tell it and how does it change over time - this play makes one think about that very issue.

As the curtain falls away, the scene on stage is very bleak. There are several people huddled around a camp fire discussing an episode of the animated series "The Simpsons".  It is learned, through the re-telling of this silly story and the appearance of a stranger, that the electric grid failed and all the nuclear power plants imploded. There is death and destruction worldwide, but these few people have banded together for survival.  The second scene of the first act takes place 7 years later and we find out that this merry band of Simpson fans have found a way to survive and thrive.  They perform live productions of the series episodes and even include the commercials.  They then barter these programs for food, water and other material items. After a short intermission the 3rd scene opens 75 years after that.  This is the musical scene of the play.  It is a full out take of the Simpsons with the post-apocalyptic survivors playing different characters in the show.  It almost has a Shakespearean look and feel. The costumes and staging were excellent and matched the theme of this act.

This play certainly is not for everyone but when you leave the theater you will know you have seen something very special and entertaining that would not be performed in many theaters.  Fort Worth has a thriving live theater community and it is a blessing to be able to attend these performances

Staging of the play

All the actors were exceptional and the stage setting  matched the mood of the play.  Here is a shout-out for all the actors:

Jessica Cavanagh
Caroline Dubberly
Kelsey Leigh Ervi
Ian Ferguson
Henry Greenberg
Mikaela Krantz
Amy Mills
Paul Taylor

Disclaimer::  The Travelling Toe is not a professional critic and any opinions expressed are for entertainment purposes only.