Starring The Inimitable John Malkovich
Following acclaimed international dates, Hollywood heavyweight John Malkovich is set to star in the US premiere tour of The Music Critic, by Russian-German violinist, composer, and writer Aleksey Igudesman. A fascinating collision of live classical music and theatrical fiction, Malkovich dons the role of an antagonistic music critic who believes the works of Beethoven, Chopin, Prokofiev, Brahms, Schumann, Debussy and other iconic composers to be humdrum.
Originally written for the Julian Rachlin and Friends Festival in Croatia, the ambitious work is a delicious tribute to the hidden craziness of classical music, a world Igudesman knows a lot about since he turned his rising star as a virtuoso violinist towards composing and performing in the musical comedy duo Igudesman and Joo. Needing no introduction, Malkovich has crafted a long-lasting and influential career as one of the greatest actors of his time. Some of his most memorable stage and screen stints include Dangerous Liaisons, Of Mice and Men, Con Air, The Libertine and Bitter Wheat.
What is The Music Critic about?
Igudesman has weaved together some of the most reviled classical music critiques of the last centuries and crafted them into the words of an evil music critic portrayed by Malkovich. Musical insults and barbs become an art form in the eminent actor's hands but Igudesman, his sonic partner Hyung-ki Joo and a roster of great modern musicians fight back, performing rousing renditions of the works Malkovich delights in tearing apart. Things come to a head in the grand finale in The Malkovich Torment, which features a scathing review of Malkovich himself, set to a humorous score.
