Shakespeare’s famous tragedy gets a new spin Monday, Nov. 7 at the Christopher Cohan Performing Arts Center (PAC) when Simpsons characters play the roles, turning “Macbeth” into “MacHomer.” The best part? The entire show is conducted by one man; Dora and Gemini award-winning actor and writer Rick Miller.
Canadian born Miller will mimic the voices of approximately 50 Simpsons’ characters in “MacHomer” at the Philips Recital Hall. With Homer as MacBeth, Marge as Lady Macbeth and Mr. Burns as the King of Scotland, what more could a fan ask for?
Architecture sophomore Carly Althoff said “MacHomer,” presented by Cal Poly Arts, was an intriguing idea and was impressed by Miller’s abilities, which is enough to make her want to attend the show.
“I’d like to see how physically animated (the production) is,” Althoff said.
Cal Poly Arts director Steve Lerian said Miller is an incredibly talented actor, and his ability to mimic the characters’ voices is uncanny and almost freaky. He strongly recommends this performance to fans of both Shakespeare and “The Simpsons.” He has seen “MacHomer” four times, and booked it twice before at other theatres.
“When you first hear Lady Macbeth done by Marge Simpson, your jaw will drop,” Lerian said. “I can’t recommend this performance any more. It’s hilarious.”
The idea for MacHomer was born in 1994, when Miller played “murderer number two” in a production of Macbeth. Miller said he had a little too much time backstage and came up with the idea as a cast party joke. Sixteen years later, the joke has played in 170 cities to approximately 500,000 fans, traveling all over the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, to New Zealand, Australia and South America.
Miller said “MacHomer” works because of the production and the characters themselves. The production is visually entertaining and multimedia is used in a unique way, and he said “The Simpsons” are good characters to use because the audience cares about them.
“I think that ‘The Simpsons’ are well-suited to tragedy because the characters have a heart,” Miller said. “Underneath all the pathos, there is a kind of ‘nobility’ that shines through. We laugh at them (at us), but we also can sympathize on a deeper level, which helps in the translation into tragedy.”
Miller describes the show as a “tour de force” production. It is a high-intensity 75-minute, solo show with him switching between dozens of characters, and it fits the bill.
“It’s an incredible workout on body, mind and throat, and I think of it as a vocal circus act,” Miller said. “The pressure is big, yes, but I get to be in total control of the audience, which is a fantastic feeling. There’s nothing like having 1,000 people stand up and clap after you’ve taken them for an amazing ride.”
However, MacHomer is not Miller’s only production. For three years, Miller hosted ABC’s primetime series “Just for Laughs” and is currently hosting a documentary series, “Canadian Made.”
Miller recently starred as Brian Mulroney in the satirical film “Mulroney: The Opera.” According to Miller, Entertainment Weekly called Miller “one the 100 most creative people alive today.”
Miller said he recommends his performance to Simpsons fans, people who love Shakespeare and people who hate Shakespeare. Essentially, Miller said anyone will find his play funny and entertaining, and Lerian agrees.
MacHomer starts at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, with a preshow lecture at 6:30 p.m. Students and adult tickets range from $16 to $38 and can be purchased at the PAC Ticket Office, by phone, fax or online.