The Tufts University dramatic group Pen, Paint and Pretzels (3Ps) is presenting three performances of “Mr. Burns: A post-electric play,” directed by Jonah Greene, written by Anne Washburn, and score by Michael Friedman.

This imaginative dark comedy propels us forward nearly a century, following a new civilization stumbling into its future. After the collapse of civilization, a group of survivors share a campfire and begin to piece together the plot of “The Simpsons” episode “Cape Feare” entirely from memory. Seven years later, this and other snippets of pop culture (sitcom plots, commercials, jingles, and pop songs) have become the live entertainment of a post-apocalyptic society, sincerely trying to hold onto its past. Seventy-five years later, these are the myths and legends from which new forms of performance are created. A paean to live theater, and the resilience of Bart Simpson through the ages, Mr. Burns is an animated exploration of how the pop culture of one era might evolve into the mythology of another.

Additional performances will be at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 8, and 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 9.

Admission tonight is “pay what you can.” Tickets for the Friday and Saturday performances are $8 and will be available at the Balch Arena Theater box office, by calling 617-627-3493, or online through University Tickets.

Founded in 1910, 3Ps is the oldest student organization on the Tufts campus. Each Semester, 3Ps stages one major production and up to two workshop productions. In addition, 3Ps serves as the umbrella organization for many other student performing arts groups.