By Chelsea Mortensen
An Other Theatre Company opened the final show of its second season with Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play last night to a sold-out audience in their black box theatre at their Provo Towne Centre Mall location. Mr. Burns follows a group of post-apocalyptic survivors who begin entertaining themselves around the campfire by remembering one of their favorite episodes from The Simpsons. The next scene, seven years later, finds the same group as a touring performance troupe that gives live, adapted renditions of the media that has been lost to the death of electricity. Then, without giving too much away, the cast returns in Act 2 with different roles, where we get to see what theatre has evolved into 75 years after the apocalypse: a smorgasbord of theatrical styles, with performance elements ranging from Greek Theatre, political drama, musicals, and hip-hop theatre.
As a word in advance, the script makes no effort to give a cohesive exposition or explain why or how things have developed between scenes. Rather, the audience is expected to tune in to the relationships between the characters (thanks to a generous and collaborative cast), where you will stay perfectly engaged. Being familiar with The Simpsons’ episode “Cape Feare” will help you enjoy all of the references and subsequent changes, but it certainly is not required to enjoy the game of actors frantically remembering and re-creating it together. In the second act, the trick is to sit back and let the whole eclectic experience speak for itself.
JD Ramey as Matt quickly presents himself as the kind, sincere force that quietly holds this group of survivors-turned-performers together. Viviane Thurman’s Jenny has such a strong stage presence, full of toughness and compassion, that I could feel the audience instantly gravitate toward her.
Nettie Miner’s Mariais the thoughtful voice of the team, looking past the everyday problems and speaking to what this new life means for everyone involved. When her character speaks up, everything in the scene begins to hit a little bit deeper. Steve Allyn as Sam, the group’sThe medicine provides one to with a minimum 4 hours of tadalafil 10mg uk intake. You no longer need to take viagra stores in canada lots of efforts to overcome the problem. Commercial transport are usually considered appalachianmagazine.com viagra no prescription online dysfunctional on the subject of many studies, especially in men, given the risk of erectile dysfunction and circulatory problems that are associated with male dysfunction include Epilepsy, Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. Stress doesnt let discount order viagra body and mind work in sync. makeshift bodyguard of few words and no-nonsense, brings a much-needed groundedness and reminds the audience of the high stakes of their dangerous world.
Through it all, the troupe’s producer-stage manager – Colleen played by Mara Lefler – tries desperately to wrangle different egos, resources, and ideas into a viable performance option. Her oh-so relatable (and aptly-named) character keeps the growing scope of the story focused in a way it otherwise would not be.
Rachel Intrator comes in with a feisty, high energy as Quincy, her portrayal working wonderfully with the character’s melodramatic acting and strong opinions. Colter Brown’s charisma as newcomer Gibson quickly sparks the survivors’ humble game of recollecting into the full joy of performance. Diego Cordero,as the Stagehand, has relatively little stage time compared to the rest. However, his mastery of physical comedy shines in so many well-placed moments that you simply cannot forget him.
Directors Kacey Spafadora and Taylor Jack Nelson shine using the full black box space and making the audience feel like they are always a part of the action. I especially loved the attention they paid to the relationships between the characters and the moments of humanity that catch the audience by surprise. Producing this script is a delicate and demanding undertaking, and their efforts certainly paid off.
Emma Belnap’s colorful lighting design somehow manages to heighten this post-apocalyptic world without ever feeling unrealistic. Janice Chan’s set and prop design feel perfectly tuned to the bare-bones theatrical group with a splash of the cartoon humor that the story draws its inspiration from. Janae Lafleur’scostume design evolves with the play’s theatricality with a precision that helps keep the audience drawn in through huge jumps in time, space, and condition.
There are a few profanities laced throughout the production, but not much crude humor at all. Teens and older who enjoy big questions with ridiculous humor are in for a good time. Stage guns and gun sound effects are also used, if that is a concern to you. The show runs just over two hours with a 15-minute intermission. You won’t find another show like Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play in Utah Valley, so come enjoy this inventive production at An Other Theatre Company.
An Other Theatre Company presents Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play by Anne Washburn.
Provo Town Centre, 1200 Town Centre Boulevard, Provo UT 84601
July 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, Aug 2-3, 2019 7:30 PM, Fri-Sat, Sun matinee July 28 5:00 PM
Tickets: $15 Adult, $13 Senior, $12 Student
Contact: anothertheaterco@gmail.com
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