“Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play” will be performed in the Clarence Brown Theatre’s Lab Theatre October 28 to November 15, 2015. Because the Lab Theatre only seats 125, patrons are encourage to purchase quickly as performances do sell out. A Pay What You Wish Preview performance will be held Wednesday, October 28, a talk back with the cast will take place Sunday, November 8 following the matinee and, the Open Captioned performance is Sunday, November 15 at 2:00 pm. Media sponsors are WUOT, WUTK, The Daily Beacon, Knoxville Mercury, and the Knoxville News Sentinel.
It’s the end of everything in contemporary America. A future without power! What will survive? In the post-apocalypse, a group of strangers bond by recreating an episode of “The Simpsons.” From this meeting, memories of Marge and Homer become the basis for shaping a new society as the play travels decades into the future.
“This play provides us with a wonderful opportunity – the chance to think about and celebrate the things that keep us Human, in the fullest sense of the word, as we move into an increasingly unpredictable and unnerving future,” said director Casey Sams.
Casey Sams (Director) is head of undergraduate studies in Theatre at UT, where she works with both graduate and undergraduates teaching Movement and Acting. Along with the CBT, she’s had the great fortune to direct, choreograph or be the movement coach at such theatres as Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, The Round House Theatre (DC), The Utah Shakespeare Festival, PlayMakers Repertory Company (Chapel Hill), Virginia Stage Company (Norfolk), Knoxville Opera Company, and Vermont Stage Company (Burlington).
The cast is comprised of UT Theatre MFA candidate Melissa David (Colleen/Bart) and the following UT Theatre undergraduate students: Emily Helton (Edna Krabapple/Chorus); Robert Parker Jenkins (Matt/Homer); Hannah Jones (Quincy/Marge); Ellen Nikbakht (Jenny/Itchy); Benjamin Pratt (Sam/Scratchy); Ethan Roeder (Gibson/Mr. Burns); and, Lauran Winder (Maria Lisa).
The creative team for the production includes: UT MFA candidates Victor Bircher (Costume Designer), Alex Ross (Sound Designer) and Maranda DeBusk (Lighting Designer); UT faculty Christopher Pickart (Scenic Designer), Terry Silver-Alford (Music Direction) and Kerri Ann Considine (Dramaturg); and UTTheatre student Isaac Krispin (Stage Manager).
This production is part of the Clarence Brown Theatre’s commitment to training. Our Lab Theatre productions are an important part of our dual mission. The production you are about to see is helping to prepare the students in our Master of Fine Arts and undergraduate programs to take their place as theatre artists.
Two Previews for “Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play” are Wednesday, October 28 and Thursday, October 29 followed by Opening Night Friday, October 30. The production runs through November 15. UT faculty/staff, senior citizens, military personnel, children and students receive discounts. For tickets, call the Clarence Brown Theatre box office at 865-974-5161, Tickets Unlimited at 865-656-4444 or order online 24/7 at www.clarencebrowntheatre.com
With a dual mission to train the next generation of theatre artists and to provide top quality professional theatre, the Clarence Brown Theatre at the University of Tennessee Knoxville is one of only 13 academic LORT (League of Resident Theatre) institutions in the nation. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Calvin MacLean and Managing Director David B. Byrd, the CBT season runs from August through May and features eight productions ranging from musicals to drama.
The CBT provides a cultural resource for both the university and the larger East Tennessee community and affirms diversity and inclusivity in all their forms.
The 2015/2016 season continues with “Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play,” “A Christmas Carol,” “The Santaland Diaries,” “Titus Andronicus,” “A Lesson Before Dying The Open Hand and South Pacific. For more information or tickets, call the CBT Box Office at 865-974-5161 or visit us online at http://clarencebrowntheatre.com/. Stay connected to the Clarence Brown Theatre on Facebook (Clarence Brown Theatre), follow us on Twitter (@ClarenceBrown) and view Clarence Brown videos on YouTube (Clarence Bro).
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