Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play

A small band of survivors gather together and, for entertainment purposes, try and recreate the popular “Cape Feare” episode of The Simpsons. Over time, first seven years later, and then 75 years later, through collective storytelling and passed-on mythology, The Simpsons, as well as loads of other pop references, evolve and meld into strange legends and deep-meaning lore. This is an overly simplistic overview of the complex and challenging plotline of playwright Anne Washburn's play, a modern riff on a dystopian society is fun, fascinating, fantastical and often very frustrating. But seldom boring. Unfortunately, too often Washburn overloads her ideas with too many obscure cultural and pop references while jumbling WTF plotlines. However, since much about Mr. Burns is intriguing, the suggestion is if you go, put logic aside, embrace the overall premise—and watch the The Simpsons “Cape Feare” episode beforehand. Th, F 8pm; Sa 2pm and 8pm; Su, W 7pm. Through 10/4. $25-$35. Capital Stage, 2215 J Street; (916) 995-5464; http://capstage.org. P.R.