Talking to oneself is such a common tendency, so how hard would it be to perform a one-man show?
According to Rick Miller of MacHomer, it’s not as easy as it looks.
“I make sure not to just do solo work,” he says. “You end up lonely and go a bit insane.”
MacHomer – opening tonight at Neptune Studio Theatre – marries William Shakespeare’s MacBeth with 50 Simpsons impressions.
The show was dreamt up by Miller during his time with Montreal’s Shakespeare in the Park, where he had the arduous task of playing ‘Murderer #2′.
With some backstage time on his hands, the “genesis of MacHomer” was born. His baby’s early popularity motivated him to push further.
“I wanted to change the show, making it better,” says Miller, the creator and performer for Bigger Than Jesus. “I’ve played high profile theatres around the world on the back of this cast party joke.”
For those of us who know Sir Will’s work well, there may be an audible groan when we think of literature’s most respected playwright sharing the stage with the likes of The Simpsons, however Miller is aware of the line between his comedy and creating a tragedy.
“I do half of MacBeth because you can only carry the joke so far,” he realizes. “The rest is a mix of ‘Simpsonisms.’”
Miller’s “vocal acrobatic exercise” includes 75 voices – the additional 25 are a surprise singalong act perfected by Miller during his days on Just For Laughs.
After 15 years, Miller proves that sometimes playing with yourself is more fun than playing with others. However, the Toronto resident keeps a proper prospective.
“If I did MacHomer 300 times a year, I would probably be checked into a mental hospital.”
What’s Upcoming
Heart
Where: Halifax Metro Centre
When: Thursday, 8 p.m.
Ticket Info: $62.50 to $72.50
Ann and Nancy Wilson, joined by a whole new Heart lineup, are gracing the Metro Centre for a night of rock ballads only the ladies can deliver.
With a few changes to the lineup, some career peaks and valleys, the ladies are back in action with their new album, Red Velvet Chair, featuring singles such as “Dog and Butterfly and Little Queen.
Of course, one can only hope they’ll dig up some past classics like Crazy on You, Barracuda, What About Love and These Dreams.
Trying my best to hide my incredible bias, tonight promises to be an epic evening of wailing guitars, extreme vocal octaves, and supreme tip-of-the-hat to the 1970s.
Local Filmmaker Show and Tell
When: Tomorrow (Friday), 8 p.m.
Where: The Khyber ICA
Ticket Info: $6 at the door
Come enjoy a film screening curated by Jason Levangie at The Khyber Institute of Contemporary Art on Barrington St.
Offering up a collection of Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative Film Five Productions, Levangie will also discuss how he selected the films that make up this collection, in addition to offering some valuable insights into how own career.
