A lot can happen in 10 years.
Pandemics. Elections. Insurrections. Memes. Visual albums becoming a “thing.” The rise and fall of Jennifer Lopez. But, a decade isn’t just a container for political events or cultural upheavals; it’s an active force, a verb of sorts, that drags the past into the present and into our subsequent awareness. With the passage of time, we are forced to reconsider that which we were once sure of and that which we once loved. And with time, these objects of our affection–whether people, places, or things–take on a meaning that even we might not have foreseen.
Mr. Burns, a post-electric play, written by Anne Washburn in tandem with the Civilians, is a play similarly interested in the passage of time. Set in a post-apocalyptic society, Mr. Burns spins The Simpsons into a mythology of epic proportions, and in the process, raises two ever-pertinent questions: What stories do we tell each other? And why do we tell them?
10 years ago, Mr. Burns premiered at Playwrights Horizons, and 10 years later, has returned with its original cast for newbies and die-hard “Burners” to enjoy this coming June 1st and 2nd. (You can purchase tickets here.)
In light of the occasion, we at Extended Play have rounded up a few articles from the archives exploring the creation of Mr. Burns and playwright Anne Washburn’s own process.
We hope to see you there!
Extended Play is a project of The Civilians. To learn more about The Civilians and to access exclusive discounts to shows, visit us and join our email list at TheCivilians.org.
