The University of Central Oklahoma Department of Theatre Arts will stage “Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play” as this year’s Spring Main Stage production, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5–7 and 2 p.m. Feb. 8 at Mitchell Hall Theatre.
Written by Anne Washburn, the three-act play is set in a post-nuclear fallout world and follows a group of survivors as they piece together episodes of “The Simpsons” from memory. “It’s a three-act show, and each is its own little world within the story,” director Kelsey Fisher said.
“The Simpsons is the through line in this apocalyptic tale that illustrates how community brings us back together and how art survives us and sustains us,” Fisher said. “I hope people come to see the play, even though it’s an unconventional title, and come into it with an open mind.”
Fisher played the roles of Jenny and Marge while in graduate school and had the opportunity to work directly with Washburn. “We had the honor of having her come out and talk to us. She is fiercely intelligent and does not baby down the script for anybody. It is a beast of a play to produce, but that’s what I think makes it so awesome,” Fisher said.
Casting got nailed down in late September. Senior Jett King was cast as Matt and Homer, while junior Liberty Welch was cast as Jenny and Marge.
When asked about the audition, King said, “Liberty was who I did my callback audition with, and I think that helped both of us land our roles because our chemistry in the callback room was awesome.”
With Welch playing the same part her director once played, she said she feels grateful for Fisher’s guidance but also nervous. “It’s such a learning experience to be able to work with someone who has played my role and to work with the playwright. It’s something I’ll likely never get to do again, and that is so near and dear to my heart,” Welch said. “Kelsey is such an amazing director, performer and professor. The only thing I’m scared of is disappointing her.”
