“The Simpsons” writer Mike Reiss talks about new memoir at SUU
By Ashley Pollock
Coming to the Gilbert Great Hall in Southern Utah University’s Hunter Conference Center Aug. 30 at 3:30 p.m. is four-time Emmy Award-winning comedy writer and playwright Mike Reiss. Reiss has spent three decades as a writer and producer for the hit comedy series “The Simpsons.” Reiss will give a lecture on his memoir, “Springfield Confidential.” The laugh-filled program will feature rare animated clips and a Q&A. The event is free and open to the public. Reiss will be a part of Utah Shakespeare Festival’s new play reading series, Words3: New Plays, with his newest play, “Shakespeare’s Worst! A Play on a Play.”
Reiss’ work with “The Simpsons” won him awards including the Peabody Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Animation Writers Caucus. During his career, he also has written jokes for Joan Rivers, Garry Shandling, Johnny Carson, and even Pope Francis. Reiss is an award-winning playwright, mystery writer, and children’s book author.
“Springfield Confidential,” Reiss’ memoir of three decades at “The Simpsons,” was a best-seller in June 2018. The memoir answers diehard fan questions, illustrates the creation process of each episode, tells why the characters are yellow, and reveals where Springfield actually is located! After the presentation, Reiss will sign copies of the memoir.
“Shakespeare’s Worst!” is an original and hilarious retelling of a Shakespeare classic. This new play is set in a small-town theater where a group of actors are performing “The Two Gentlemen of Verona.” But one of the cast members is unhappy: His career is going nowhere, he’s tired of the show, and he wants out. This show promises to shine a new, hilarious light on Shakespeare. Performances for this reading will be held Aug. 29 and 31 at 9:30 a.m. in the Anes Studio Theater. Tickets to the reading can be purchased through bard.org. For more information, please visit suu.edu/apex or bard.org/words-cubed.
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