Harry Shearer, renowned for his work as a voice actor on the long-running animated series The Simpsons, is set to return to the stage with a new comedy musical. The production, Here Comes J. Edgar!, opens on July 10 at the King’s Head Theatre in London. Co-written by Shearer and Seinfeld writer Tom Leopold, the musical explores the complex and controversial life of former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover.

Shearer, whose vocal performances on The Simpsons include characters such as Mr. Burns, Waylon Smithers, Ned Flanders, and Principal Skinner, described Mr. Burns as his favorite role, citing the character’s embodiment of pure evil as a compelling aspect. Although he acknowledges fluctuations in the show’s quality over its more than three decades on air, Shearer remains engaged with his varied roles, contrasting the current recording process with the earlier practice of actors performing together in the studio.

Here Comes J. Edgar! revisits the life of Hoover, who led the FBI from 1924 until his death in 1972. While credited with founding the bureau and introducing scientific law enforcement techniques like fingerprinting, Hoover’s legacy is heavily marred by accusations of abuse of power. His tenure reportedly involved campaigns against perceived enemies including communists, immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, and civil rights activists, employing tactics such as blackmail, espionage, and press manipulation. The musical also touches on Hoover’s private life, including his long-term relationship with his deputy Clyde Tolson and allegations of cross-dressing, details that emerged posthumously.

Shearer emphasized the importance of treating the subject matter with humor due to its grim nature. “The story of Hoover is too grim unless you’re having fun with it,” he said, describing the production as a musical comedy that aims to satirize Hoover’s powerful but controversial legacy. The show features former Mad Men actor Bryan Batt and original music by composer Peter Maltz.

In addition to his theatrical work, Shearer recently participated in the promotion of the Spinal Tap sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, which premiered last September. Despite featuring high-profile guest stars such as Paul McCartney and Elton John, the film received a muted critical response. Shearer revealed that he contended with Long Covid during filming, which affected his experience. The original 1984 Spinal Tap film was a significant cultural breakthrough in the mockumentary genre but did not yield substantial financial success for its creators. A legal dispute over unpaid royalties was settled in 2019, encouraging the team to pursue the sequel.

Looking ahead, Shearer remains cautious about the future of The Simpsons, particularly with emerging trends in artificial intelligence voice technology. He expressed concern about AI potentially supplanting human actors but noted that some performers are asserting control over their voices and likenesses in anticipation. While undecided on the impact of AI on the industry, Shearer compared it to the obsolescence of typewriters, suggesting significant change is inevitable.

At 82, Shearer balances his work between acting and writing, residing in west London with his wife, singer Judith Owen. He described Here Comes J. Edgar! as a comedic exploration of a “bad guy” whose tactics and legacy continue to resonate. “It’s rhyming right now,” he said, quoting Mark Twain on history’s cyclical nature.

Here Comes J. Edgar! runs from July 10 at London’s King’s Head Theatre.