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Let's Visit MacHomer
"Let's go ahead and get it all out now so we don't distract
performer. On count of three give me your best Homer."
After one, two, three countdown thunderous Homer J. Simpson trademark, "Wooohooo's" echoed in 199 seat Curtis Theatre in Los Angeles. The announcer then said, "Next, give me your best Barney Gumble impression!" The 100+ audience members in this intimate theater then belched their best (or worst) Barney Gumble impressions.
"That wasn't bad, now give me your best Marge Simpson impression." The enthusiastic crowd, ranging from grandparents down to pre-teens, then, in unison nervously went, "Hmmmmmmmm."
"Now, who has read Shakespeare in last 30 days?" Suddenly, many eyes were now glued embarrassingly to floor, while a few brave hands rose proudly from audience. Well, I have to admit that my hand was waiving in air like U.S. flag being hoisted on Iwo Jima. Lastly, perky announcer queried audience, "Who has watched 'The Simpsons' in last 30 days?" Now, cheers began and hands of nearly every person at this Saturday 2:00 p.m. matinee were waiving in air like miniature U.S. flags at a Fourth of July parade. Let show begin, I thought.
MacHomer is a great way to introduce Shakespeare's most powerfully written, concentrated tragedy to whole family in a fun way in 60 minutes or less. You certainly can't get this on PBS, that's for sure. To top that, why not have one of most dysfunctional families in television history, no not Osbournes, do another from literature? Yes, nearly each of 50+ characters from The Simpsons cartoon has been incorporated into an amazing one-man theatrical rendition of Shakespeare's MacBeth. Of course, MacBeth is played by no other than loveable Homer J. Simpson, and Lady MacBeth is Marge Simpson. Believe it or not, but MacHomer is still 85% true to William Shakespeare's original work. They obviously didn't have Homer J. Simpson, jelly donuts, or rock and roll back in early 1600s, so creative license was taken so that these critical characters, props and mood enhancing items were added by theatrical genius/one-man performer known as Rick Miller.
Like Emmy Award winning episodes of The Simpsons, all forces of man and nature are gathered to shakedown MacHomer into alternating moods of dejection and irritation, much like man of many moods, Homer J. Simpson. Homer is perfect lead for MacBeth since nearly everybody knows and relates to him, and like planets of our solar system, MacBeth's subplots, incidents and speeches all revolve around MacHomer.
Using "Tell-o-vision," a huge television screen to show primitive short movies and cartoon character drawings from The Simpsons, Rick Miller adds one part smoke machine, a dash of eerie purple lights and one part puppetry to cook up a fast paced, hysterical theatrical production. Rick's facial expressions, body language, and voices for 55+ characters are amazing! He's certainly quite a talented actor and has further honed his production over last six years that MacHomer has been touring large and small theaters around globe. His funny Simpsons characterizations really bring single-minded Homer Simpson as MacHomer to life, as with Moe evil bartender, ever-cheesy Troy McClure, and disgruntled Krusty Klown, among other wacky characters added in for fun.
