Few people may think William Shakespeare and Homer Simpson have anything in common.
Enter Rick Miller.
In 1994, Miller, a stage actor, was playing the part of 'Murderer No. 2' in a production of William Shakespeare's "Macbeth." At a cast party, Miller began making fun of his cast-mates by reciting their lines in imitative voices of "The Simpsons" characters.
It turns out that what began as an innocent cast party joke has become a career for Miller. Touring the country with his one-man show, "MacHomer," Miller rips through an entire production of "Macbeth," substituting the characters' voices with over 50 voices from the long-running cartoon sitcom.
For the second time in the last three years, Miller brings "MacHomer" to UB, on Friday at the Center for the Arts.
Miller sees his one-man play as more than a gag.
"Even though it started off as a cast party joke, I've since realized the transitional achievements of 'MacHomer,'" said Miller, soft-spoken with a polite demeanor. "It is important to recognize that Shakespeare's plays were not performed for the scholars and academics. They were performed for today's TV audience, in the same way that 'The Simpsons' is. And they both use satirical humor in order to entertain."
Because of his trans-medium achievements, the show has been received with open arms. Shakespearean scholars have not scorned the piece, primarily because Miller is "not doing a disservice to Shakespeare."
"I don't paraphrase Shakespeare's lines," he said. "They are in close likeness to the real thing."
Because of this, Miller said, high school teachers have come to love his show.
"'MacHomer' offers an accessibility to Shakespeare's pieces like never before. It's a great way to taste Shakespeare's work," said Miller. "Many people have preconceived notions about Shakespeare's plays - that it is difficult to both read and understand. After seeing 'MacHomer,' they realize it is, in fact, approachable."
Although the show still brings the serious ideologies of an authentic Shakespeare production, Miller's show's name forces the audience to remember its lighter sides.
"MacHomer is like a 'Simpsons' Halloween episode," said Miller. "It moves fast, so it's hard to get bored, and it has an eclectic ending: my own version of 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' with imitations of the 25 most annoying artists in music."
Impersonating musicians' voices is how Miller got his start in the business. His mother was a professional singer, and this exposure to music created a fascination with pop culture. The Canadian performer went on to acting school, where he perfected what he calls his "natural ability to imitate."
The widespread success of "MacHomer" has given Miller the creative freedom to pursue other interests. He has done theater, playing the part of Jesus in a production "Jesus Christ Superstar." He has also performed a show called "Into the Ring," based on "The Lord of the Rings," and in March will give the American premier of "Bigger Than Jesus," which Martin describes as "a multi-media look at Christianity with elements of pop culture."
With "Bigger Than Jesus," Miller is planning to take a step away from comedy. "It's something that Mel Gibson has also explored," said Miller, referring to the film "The Passion of the Christ."
"The thing about 'MacHomer' is that it makes people laugh, but it doesn't go much further than that. This new project allows me to take a step forward in my career."
Don't be deceived by Miller's statement - he still loves the "MacHomer" show, and will continue to present his "tribute to Matt Groening," the Simpsons creator
Fans will have the chance to see this tribute on Friday at the CFA. He will perform two shows - at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Tickets are available now at the CFA Box Office.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
