Group members listening to Zach Topscher (as Matt) telling the stories of “The Simpsons.” On couch (from left) are David Garcia and Zach Topscher. Standing (from left) are Elle Galhouse, Lily Payne, Matthew Garback, Isabelle Cong and Camille Dausch.
It’s the apocalypse meets “The Simpsons.” In Chantilly High’s upcoming show, “Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play,” a plucky group of survivors uses acting to keep their pop culture – symbolized by “The Simpsons” – alive in an apocalypse-devastated world.
“I picked this show because it’s so different,” said Director Andy Shaw. “The story examines what would happen if our culture and way of life were destroyed and people tried to rebuild it. I’m super proud of my actors; this is unlike anything they’ve ever seen or heard before.
“It goes quickly from ridiculous comedy to serious, dramatic moments, and they’re really embracing it and doing such a great job with their performances. They’re an incredibly mature group of actors to handle this difficult text.”
With a cast and crew of 40, show times are Thursday-Saturday, May 1, 2, 3, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, May 4, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15, adults, and $10, students, at the door or via www.chantillydrama.org.
Shaw said his students are really excited about this show, and the script allows them to create their characters’ personalities and backstories. “The dialogue is written conversationally, so you feel like you’re just overhearing people talking,” he explained. “Then it morphs into a performative style – all in the same play. And we keep finding unexpected things in the script that match up with the backstories the students created, so that’s been cool.”
Act I takes place in the woods; act II is in an abandoned warehouse where the group has built a makeshift stage; and act III is set in a decorated, outdoor amphitheater. Act II happens seven years after the modern-day act I; and act III jumps 75 years into the future, so the costumes go from contemporary clothing to a brand-new style of attire. In addition, although only the last act contains songs and dancing, a small live band will play background music throughout the show.
“At first, you see the members of this group having a witty and funny connection to each other, retelling ‘The Simpsons’ stories to distract them from what’s going on in the world,” said senior Matthew Garback, who plays a member called Sam. “Then act II is nostalgic, showing how today’s pop culture would be depicted later on as a way of remembering it and reflecting what was happening at the time. Eventually, this group of friends that’s been together for seven years goes from place to place, talking about “The Simpsons” episodes, as do other, similar groups.”
Garback said Sam is “always thinking about how, specifically, he can protect the others in the group. He’s very cautious about other people; and when he sets his mind on something, he doesn’t let go and can get wrapped up in his own mind. He does so much and is willing to do even more to help other people. But he gets frustrated when others don’t do their share.”
“I like that – even though he doesn’t have a lot of lines – he’s always reacting to what other people do and say,” continued Garback. “He’s always thinking and even gets to tell some jokes. One of the show’s most important messages is how special are our connections to the people around us – because you never know when they’ll go away.”
Since most audience members will be familiar with “The Simpsons,” said Garback, “They’ll be able to connect with the characters and see how they’re integrated into pop culture. One of our songs, ‘Chart Hits,’ is a mashup of pop songs from the past decade, such as ‘Espresso,’ ‘What Makes You Beautiful,’ ‘Toxic,’ ‘Lose Yourself,’ ‘HOT TO GO!’ and ‘You Belong with Me.’ They’re done a cappella with a choreographed dance, and it’s been exciting to put it together.”
Portraying group member Colleen is senior Isabelle Cong. “She’s volatile and has gone through a lot of trauma in her past; and as a result, she’s involuntarily mute,” said Cong. “She had a daughter who died at age 12, and that was the shock she suffered. She’s self-dependent but cares a lot about the people she’s closest to and is willing to put her life on the line for others. And she only interacts with the women in the group.”
Loving her role, Cong said, “I respect Colleen as a whole and how she strives to look out for other people. In act two, she’s regained her voice and directs the group acting out ‘The Simpsons.’ And I think it’s really admirable that she can step up and take on a leadership position, even after all she’s been through.”
She said audiences will enjoy seeing Chantilly’s thespians reenact “The Simpsons” and “They’ll also like the live musicians onstage in act III. The message of the show is the importance of putting trust in others and forming strong relationships with them, despite any challenges or difficulties.”
Senior Lily Payne plays Jenny, 24, from Baltimore. “She’s friendly and is like an older sister to fellow group member Maria, after Maria’s whole family died,” said Payne. “We’re still in the midst of the apocalypse – nuclear-power plants have stopped functioning, and many people are dying of radiation exposure and other illnesses after the world ended. This group is surviving by putting on good shows and selling enough tickets to buy food to eat.
“In real life, my best friend’s name is Jenny, and I like my character because she’s engaging, keeps conversations going and is strong and able to step up for the group. I love this show a lot and feel lucky to be part of it. And I’m proud to have people see what we’ve been working on. It’s unexpected and shocking, and people won’t be able to predict where it’ll go. And the characters have real depth in their interactions and relationships.”
Portraying group-member Matt is senior Zach Topscher. “He’s enthusiastic, loves ‘The Simpsons,’ is adamant about entertaining people and is very deliberate in his storytelling,” said Topscher. “Although he sometimes gets sidetracked by the characters’ comedic bits, he likes to hammer home the point of the story. He’s also intelligent and knowledgeable about current events relating to the apocalypse. And he’s agreeable and quick to make friends.”
Topscher enjoys his role because “Matt has some difficult lines and does a little rambling because he talks more like an average person than the others do. He thinks and stops and starts while he speaks, as he’s remembering things. And in the second act, he also gets to be a tech person for their shows.”
He said audiences will like “the reality and entertainment of everybody working together to remember and recreate ‘The Simpsons’ stories. All the music is very fun, with silly dance moves and funny character voices of “The Simpsons’ in general. And the actors will be in ‘The Simpsons’ costumes during their plays.”
“For 2,000 years, people have been saying theater is dying,” added director Shaw. “But this play shows how, throughout the ages, people have used theater to tell their stories and to help better understand themselves, each other and the world. The audience will enjoy how the story goes in unexpected directions and keeps surprising them. And despite the tragedy that’s unfolded, the show ends on a hopeful note for the future.”