Is there a difference when you play MacHomer to a Shakespeare audience versus a general comedy audience?
Generally, they’re just more familiar with half of the source material. They don’t have to worry about the language, and appreciate the collision of the two cultures a little better. The regular audience watches “The Simpsons.” They bring the kids to the show, and for them, half the work is getting past the dialogue that’s 400 years old. There are versions of Macbeth performed with ninja action figures and pro-wrestler puppets. Why does the play support being messed with? Macbeth happened to be the play I was doing when I thought of the idea. I didn’t go through all of Shakespeare’s plays to come up with the best one. Since then, I’ve decided not to do a sequel. Hamlet’s too complex, but Macbeth is short, it’s bloody and it’s accessible. It’s very familiar to audiences and lines like “Out, damned spot!” have a place in pop culture. Have you added or dropped characters who’ve been added or dropped from “The Simpsons” over its 20-year history? One of my favorites is actor Troy McClure, w
