The Pitt-Greensburg Theater Company will present Anne Washburn’s Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play as its spring production. The show will run April 3, 4, 5 (7 p.m.) and April 6 (2:30 p.m.) in Ferguson Theater. Tickets ($5) are available at the door or online at https://bit.ly/PITT-GBG-TKTS-SP2025.
A special Opening Night Gala will be held Thursday, April 3, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Smith Hall Lobby. Allaback and her cast encourage those planning to attend to “Dress to Impress,” which they are defining as formal wear or something fun. There will be food and a photobooth with a possible Bruiser the Bobcat sighting, too.
“This play is unlike any you’ve ever seen,” said Allaback. “The first act is shortly after the unspecified apocalyptic event, where survivors gather around a campfire and try to recollect the episode. The second act takes place seven years later and the survivors have started a traveling theatre company that performs Simpsons episodes as live performances. The final act is 80 years later and is a musical version of ‘Cape Feare.’”
Allaback also wanted audiences to be aware that the play does include guns and gun sound effects She explained that she brought in Barbara Burgess-Le
febvre to demonstrate theatrical weapons and choreograph the gun fight. “Barbara teaches at Robert Morris University and is a director in Pittsburgh,” said Allaback.
Also contributing to the production are Pitt-Greensburg faculty and staff: Chris Bartley, director of music; Chris McAllister, stagecraft instructor; and Marcy Jo Yonkey, choreographer.
Allaback noted that the production of this play is partially funded by grants from the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts and the Community Foundation of the Alleghenies.
Cast Bios:
Jocelyn Andolina (Jenny/Troy McClure) is a second-year visual and performing arts major from Johnstown, PA. Mr. Burns is her third production at Pitt-Greensburg. “I’ve learned so much from all the cast and crew whom I’ve worked with in past shows,” she said of her experience in the Ferguson Theater.
Abigail Coyne (Nelson/Itchy) is a junior psychology major from Pittsburgh, PA. A three-year member of the Pitt-Greensburg Chorale, she manages the ensemble’s social media accounts. Coyne notes that this is her first show in six years, saying, “I’m super excited to be back on the stage, not just to sing but also to perform in a role.”
Kate Cramer (Colleen/Homer), from Scottdale, PA, is a second-year student who is double-majoring in creative and professional writing and communication. She is thrilled to be involved in her third Pitt-Greensburg production and was previously cast as Helen Bechdel (Fun Home) and Bella (Community Garden). Cramer works in the Pitt-Greensburg Admissions Office and is involved in the Pitt-Greensburg Chorale and the David C. Frederick Honors College at Pitt-Greensburg.
Brandon Farneth (Guest Artist) returns to the Pitt-Greensburg Theater Company after graduating in 2019 with a BA in visual and performing arts (theater arts concentration). Farneth, the campus visit coordinator in the Pitt-Greensburg Admissions Office, is excited to be back on stage. Among his favorite past roles are Patrick Star (SpongeBob, the Musical), Dodgy/Duchess (Alice By Heart), and Lucinda (Into the Woods).
Jordan Alexandra Gilbert (Gibson/Bart) is a senior English literature major from West Newton, PA. Some of Gilbert’s (she/her) favorite previous acting roles include Alison Bechdel (Fun Home), Jo March (Little Women, the Musical), and Miss Honey (Matilda, the Musical). Her non-acting credits include stage management, education, tech/design, and directing.
Jen O’Donnell (Marge Simpson), from North Versailles, PA, is a first-year student majoring in secondary education and applied mathematics. O’Donnell, a veteran of three high school musicals, makes her first appearance on the Ferguson Theater stage.
Leigha Skelly (Maria/Edna Krabapple), from Pittsburgh, PA, is majoring in information technology at Pitt-Greensburg. Skelly, who attended the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (CLO) Academy for eight years on a full scholarship, has performed in The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), Seussical the Musical (Gertrude), Peter Pan (Tinkerbell), and Clue (Ms. White). At Pitt-Greensburg, she performed in Community Garden (April/Taylor). Skelly shares that she’s excited to portray Maria and Edna Krabapple in the campus’s spring production of Mr. Burns.
Constance Taesch (Sam/Chorus) is a communication major from Sleepy Hollow, NY. A veteran actor on the Ferguson Theater stage, she’s performed in War of the Worlds, The Day the Earth Stood Still, and Blithe Spirit. Her non-acting credits include participating in the Fun Home costume crew.
Destiny Washington (Nat/Scratchy), from Brooklyn, NY, is a first-year psychology major. Washington’s past campus performances include Community Garden and participating in the Pitt-Greensburg Chorale. She notes that, as a play, Mr. Burns continues to grow on her, noting, “I like how it represents the development of theatre and storytelling. The build-up to act three fulfills my need for singing, dancing, and acting. This play is new and different for me—but I’m excited to experience it!”
Brielle Zimmerman (Quincy/Lisa Simpson) is a third-year psychology major from Latrobe, PA. Her previous credits at Pitt-Greensburg include A Streetcar Named Desire, Fun Home, and Blithe Spirit.