A Post-Theatric Review of Mr. Burns (Part Two)

Act Three: Only One Family

The third act was the furthest removed from the previous two acts, as this act takes place almost seventy-five years into the future of the post-apocalyptic world. Our survivors Matt, Jenny, Marie, Sam, Gibson, Colleen, and Quincy are gone, with “Cape Feare” now performed by a whole new group of unnamed actors and actresses.

These actors are adorned with eerie make-up that makes their facial expressions and appearances look more cartoonish, and they sing and perform in an almost tribalistic fashion with grunting, humming, and stamping, while there are moments of singing and rapping as five of the actors dance and spin around the character Edna Krabappel (played by Sand Morales).

We then see Bart Simpson (played by Grace Kafka) and his family– Homer (played by Daniel Richarme), Marge (played by Erin Clark), Lisa (played by Katie O’Shea), and baby Maggie– as they escape the nuclear burning of Springfield.

They find themselves on a houseboat, sailing out onto Terror Lake when suddenly, and are encountered by Mr. Burns (played by James Kaminski) and his two minions Itchy (played by Danny Paternina) and Scratchy (played by Raelyn Menon).

That being said, I literally have no words for what I had just watched.

I was genuinely shocked, and  honestly was a little scared, probably because I was not expecting what was going to happen and how most people know The Simpsons might see this as almost perverted in a way.

Despite my initial shock, I came around to the fact it made me feel that way, but I think that this was the point. This was the point that this show wants to make.

The story continues as Mr. Burns and his minions capture the family, and one by one Mr. Burns breaks the necks of Homer, Marge, and then Lisa, who puts up much more of a fight compared to Homer or Marge. And when you think Mr. Burns cannot become a sicker human being, he goes into the houseboat as we hear the faint cries of Maggie, to then be silenced.

Bart is at his lowest moment, with no other choice he confronts Mr. Burns in a sword fight to the death, with Itchy and Scratchy taunting his every move.

The fight is drawn out, and as Bart begins to lose hope, he hears the voices of his family calling him to fight as they stand about the fight overhead, because he is a Simpson and the Simpsons always fight.

With his will and the sudden heavy tides rocking the boat, Bart gains the upper hand, wounding the now cowering Mr. Burns. As he slinks away, Mr. Burn calls out, “I’ll stay away Bart Simpson… I’ll stay away……FOREVER!”

All I can truly say is that this production was the most enthralling part of the production, and I commend the entire cast for how powerfully they were able to make this insane journey.

And Then We Talked About Duct Tape

Mr. Burns was truly a wild and dark production, almost feeling like some sort of darker stage version of a “Treehouse of Horror” episode, which is almost fitting, to put this production on so close to the Halloween season. Personally, I would say that the one line that sums up the very feel of this production, comes in one of Marie’s lines that comes in the first act after an especially tough subject.

“And then, we just talked about duct tape.”

This line resonated with me so much even though it is a short line, yet it has so much weight to it. It is a funny notion that after such a heavy moment, all they could talk about was duct tape, in a way acting as a great representation of the show itself.

The Verdict: An Excellent Performance

Mr. Burns was truly an amazing and wild experience to see here at Centenary University. While it was a very unique production and a story with such dark subject matter, it was such a creative  and fun look at the world of theatre and how much of a cultural  icon that the Simpsons truly are.

And what more can be said about the people behind the  production. From the intense performance of Centenary stage  veterans Erin Clark, Daniel Paternina, Aurelia Shanga, Katie  O’Shea and several others; to the breakout performances of  newcomers James Kaminski, Daniel Richarme, and Grace  Kafka.

That is not even mentioning the behind the scenes work from  Mark Squindo, alumnus; Mads Rhinem music director and  choreographer; Emily Young and Kylie  Smith, assistant directors; Taylor Albrecht, stage manager; and, of course, Professor  Christopher Young’s amazing work as Director.

From the immersive and practical set, the intense performance,  all the way to those emotions felt in that little house boat, sitting  on Terror Lake, in the words of Montgomery Burns himself, this was an “Excellent” show. 

My Rating: