Harry Shearer discusses his new musical about J Edgar Hoover
Harry Shearer, known for his voice roles on The Simpsons, is set to debut a new musical titled Here Comes J Edgar!, which explores the life of former FBI director J Edgar Hoover. The production opens on 10 July at the King’s Head Theatre in north London, reports BritPanorama.
Shearer is renowned for voicing multiple iconic characters on The Simpsons, including Mr. Burns and Ned Flanders. While he acknowledges the fluctuating quality of the show over the years, he maintains that he still enjoys being part of the series. “No, I still enjoy playing all these characters,” he stated, emphasizing the appeal of variety in his roles.
The new musical, co-written with Seinfeld writer Tom Leopold, recounts Hoover’s controversial legacy, addressing both his substantial contributions to law enforcement and his notorious abuses of power. The production, which initially appeared as a radio play in 1994, features a score by Barbra Streisand’s composer Peter Maltz, and is poised to bring a comedic aspect to what is an undeniably grim subject.
Hoover led the FBI for nearly five decades starting in 1924, during which he pioneered various law enforcement techniques but was also responsible for severe violations of civil liberties against various groups, including communists and the black community. His tactics included espionage and blackmail, raising ethical questions about his legacy. “That sounds familiar, doesn’t it?” Shearer remarked, illustrating the relevance of Hoover’s methods in today’s context.
Despite the historical weight of the subject matter, Shearer and Leopold opted for a comedic musical format to engage audiences. “The story of Hoover is too grim unless you’re having fun with it,” Shearer noted, indicating that humor is essential in presenting such a serious theme.
Reflecting on the delays in bringing the musical to stage, Shearer remarked, “For the executive class in show business there are two words, and the easier one to say is no.” Currently, at age 82, Shearer remains active in the industry, balancing his work on the musical alongside memories from his time on Saturday Night Live, where he starred alongside notable figures such as Bill Murray.
Shearer’s recent work includes a sequel to This is Spinal Tap, which premiered last September but received mixed reviews. Despite the challenges, he expressed contentment with the direction of his projects, saying the production of Here Comes J Edgar! began with renewed enthusiasm last August.
As for the future of The Simpsons, Shearer expressed concern over the potential use of AI to generate voices for the characters, asserting, “They better not.” He is aware of discussions surrounding ownership of likeness and voice in the context of artificial intelligence, anticipating shifts that could affect actors in the industry.
Ultimately, Shearer’s focus remains on Here Comes J Edgar!, which he describes as “a comedy about a bad guy.” The production serves as a lens through which to examine Hoover’s controversial impact on American society and law enforcement, indicating that even today, echoes of his legacy can be observed. “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes,” he concluded, reflecting on the ongoing relevance of Hoover’s actions.
‘Here Comes J Edgar!’ runs at the King’s Head Theatre from 10 July.
