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Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play, by Anne Washburn, is a more modern production than many that Ponca Playhouse stages. Of the importance of the show and its message about storytelling, director Sam Stuart says, “I think people have forgotten how common and useful it [storytelling] is. When your partner tells you how their day was, when you listen to a podcast, watch a TV show, or read an article about a dog that’s up for adoption because of some tragedy, that’s all storytelling. So much of our daily lives incorporate it. It’s not just a book or movie.”
Themes are important when scripts are selected by the Playhouse, and it might be interesting for you, as audience members or potential members to know the process that takes place. The Playhouse Board of Directors establishes a Reading/Selection committee that takes suggestions from multiple avenues. Those are generally Playhouse members who make suggestions based on shows they enjoy, board members who have seen shows elsewhere or read them, and the board also solicits ideas from show directors who have directed here in the past or may be interested in directing in Ponca City in the future. Then, the committee reads the selections, meets and discusses them, and brings a suggestion of a season back to be voted on by the full board. The committee tries to have a mix of genres and themes for audience appeal, as well as challenging roles and staging for actors and crew to expand on the skills of those involved. The scope is important.
Of this production, Stuart says, “It’s strange, funny, scary, and heartbreaking. I don’t think the Playhouse has done anything like it, and I’m excited to see the audience response to it.” One of the reasons Stuart loves this script is the secondary theme she sees in it, and that’s how it emphasizes the “importance of community and how we choose the people we want to spend our time with.”
The show is a dark comedy entailing how we may endure in a cataclysm when society crumbles and we are faced with rebuilding. Washburn explores how pop culture (here, specifically The Simpsons) might move from the pop culture of one era into a mythology of another.
The thirteen-member cast, some of whom will play 2 or 3 roles along with singing songs and learning choreography, are ready to entertain you, and the crew has been working to have the show ready to open.
Corie Stolhand is stage manager, and Kelly Riddle is producer.
Of his first time as producer, Riddle says, “I’ve appreciated this hardworking group and seeing the scope of a production as it all comes together. It’s different to not only see the work of the cast but all the backstage crew handling lights, set, props, and all of the other details like the publicity and programs and grants and more that all have to come together before opening night.”
Stolhand, who has served in most all the volunteer roles, is serving as his mentor on this show. They have worked in many areas of the show to bring it to fruition.
Maya Damron, who is in the cast, is the costumer, and director Stuart is set designer. Jarrod Arana oversees props, and both Suzanne Sumpter and Chris Schelp have been working with the cast on the music for the show.
Production dates for Mr. Burns are January 19-21 and 26-28, with Friday and Saturday show times beginning at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm.
Tickets for this production go on sale January 7 and may be purchased on the Ponca Playhouse website, Poncaplayhouse.com, by calling the box office at 580-765-5360 (you can leave a message and your call will be returned), or by visiting the box office at 301 South 1st Street one hour prior to show times.
Come out and see the darkly humorous and interesting message of Mr. Burns on stage at Ponca Playhouse! Just think about all the entertainment the Playhouse has done over the last 65 years!
