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Mr. Burns, a post-electric play
by Anne Washburn Luminous Theatre Milwaukee, WI April - May 2017 
Ensemble of Mr. Burns. Photo by Jason Fassl.
Hannah Ripp-Dieter and Ensemble. Photo by Jason Fassl.
Rachael Zientek, Ericka Wade, Hannah Ripp-Dieter, and Kelly Doherty. Photo by Jason Fassl.
Rachael Zientek, Kelly Doherty, and Dylan Bolin. Photo by Jason Fassl.
Rachael Zientek, James Carrington, Ericka Wade, Nick Narcisi, and Kelly Doherty. Photo by Jason Fassl.
Rachael Zientek. Photo by Jason Fassl.
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REVIEWS
"This is clearly a labor of love for Hoffmann and the scrappy Luminous Theatre. Mr. Burns is a show with a large cast and significant production demands. It’s a fitting match. For just like the survivors in Washburn’s story, Hoffman and the actors and the technicians and artists behind Mr. Burns have built a strange and miraculous world from the ground up, and created an experience that just might be fondly remembered seven, and even 75 years into the future." - Paul Kosidowski, Milwaukee Magazine Read the full Milwaukee Magazine review. "most unforgettable, meaningful, and downright gob-smacking work of theater you’ve seen in many a year." "With a first-rate cast under the impeccable direction of Leda Hoffman, it’s by turns hilarious and terrifying, quietly gut-wrenching, outrageously visionary and fabulously entertaining." "Hoffman has successfully melded her cast into an organic ensemble." - Jeff Grygny, Play On Milwaukee Read the full Play On Milwaukee review. "one of the most unique theatrical experiences of the Milwaukee theater season. " - Russ Bickerstaff, Shepherd Express Read the full Shepherd Express review. "Not since the demise of Michael Cotey’s much-missed Youngblood Theatre Company has a theater director in Milwaukee been as thoughtful about site-specific staging as Hoffmann, who previously brought us Margaret Atwood’s “The Penelopiad” – set in Hades – under the Holton St. viaduct. Staging “Mr. Burns” in a desolate pocket of Riverwest, much of it unfolding in a warehouse with no indoor plumbing (portable toilets are provided) and no heat, allows us to better appreciate what these characters would have experienced." "both are love songs to theater and its artists, frequently working under nearly impossible conditions and at great personal sacrifice, for little or no money and an assurance that their work will be misunderstood by critics and quickly forgotten by everyone else. Why do they do it? Because survival truly is insufficient. The characters in “Mr. Burns” get this, in a world that’s nearly dead. The actors performing “Mr. Burns” get this, in a world that wants to reduce everything to dollars and cents. Was I moved by what they’ve wrought, producing a challenging play like this under difficult circumstances, with obvious commitment and integrity? You bet I was. Despite Washburn’s title, this production of her play is electrifying." - Mike Fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Read the full Journal Sentinel review. 
Jordan Gwiazdowski. Photo by Jason Fassl.
Nick Narcisi and Kelly Doherty. Photo by Jason Fassl.
James Carrington and Rachael Zientek. Photo by Jason Fassl.
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CAST:
Gibson / Chorus - Dylan Bolin Chorus - Alex Campea Matt / Scratchy - James Carrington Maria / Homer - Kelly Doherty Burns - Jordan Gwiazdowski Sam / Itchy - Nick Narcisi Edna - Eva Nimmer Quincy / Lisa - Hannah Ripp-Dieter Colleen / Marge - Ericka Wade Jenny / Bart - Rachael Zientek |
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Director - Leda Hoffmann Music Director - James Kaplan Costume Designers - Andrea Bouck and Leslie Vaglica Lighting Designer - Jason Fassl Sound Designer - Megan Henninger Technical Director - Tony Lyons Props Coordinator - Heidi Salter Choreographer - Doug Clemons Fight Director - Christopher Elst Stage Manager - Kaitlyn Martin Assistant Stage Manager - Mattie Voorheis Assistant Director - Daniella Wheelock |
