Long-standing fans of University Players will remember when musical theatre was a regular component of the student company’s season, and will be pleasantly surprised with a return to musical and dramatic storytelling in the first show of its 60th anniversary season.

The Essex Hall Theatre curtain rises Friday, September 21, on a modern comedy, Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play, written by Anne Washburn and directed by Lezlie Wade.

The show takes place in the near future after an apocalyptic event takes out electricity to the entire world. A group bonded by the need to survive recall a favourite episode of the television program the Simpsons, unknowingly creating the stories which will become the historic legends of a new era. Not just for fans of the long-running animated series, it is a musical tribute to the modern mythology of pop culture and a darkly funny exploration of a post-electric existence.

All performances from Wednesday to Saturday start at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinee performances are at 2 p.m. On Sunday, September 23, a “Talk Back” discussion with the actors will follow the performance. Tickets may be purchased at www.universityplayers.com or by calling the box office at 519-253-3000, ext. 2808.