(PCM+) Come Out of the Cold! Ponca Playhouse and Mr. Burns

The Simpsons meets a post-apocalyptic world - Story by Marlys Cervantes / Staff Writer

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The play “Mr. Burns” has been performed on stages all over the world. Pictured here is a co-production from the State Theatre Company of South Australia performed at the Belvoir St Theatre in Sydney. Photo by Brett Boardman

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.