McCarter Theatre Center presents a weekend of comedy and theatrical invention with John Malkovich in “The Music Critic” on Saturday, April 17 in the Matthews Theatre, and The Improvised Shakespeare Company for three performances April 16–17 in the Berlind Theatre.
In “The Music Critic,” John Malkovich stars in a sardonic and musically rich exploration of classical music criticism. Schumann is called a “composer,” Brahms a “giftless bastard,” and Debussy is deemed “simply ugly,” as composer Aleksey Igudesman assembles infamous critiques written about some of classical music’s most celebrated works.
Malkovich “inhabits the role of an unrelenting critic,” reading out loud opinions that have not quite stood the test of time. Meanwhile, musicians Aleksey Igudesman, Hyung-Ki Joo and others respond with performances of works by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms, Schumann, Debussy, Prokofiev, Ysaye, Kancheli, Piazzolla, and Igudesman. The evening culminates in “The Malkovich Torment,” a humorous musical “review” of Malkovich himself, set by Igudesman.
McCarter Theatre’s weekend continues with The Improvised Shakespeare Company, a critically acclaimed improv troupe known for its spontaneous, fast-paced comedy.
Performances are Friday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 17 at 7 and 9:30 p.m.
Based entirely on a single audience suggestion, The Improvised Shakespeare Company creates a fully improvised Shakespearean play in real time—complete with characters, dialogue, and plot devised on the spot. Nothing is scripted or rehearsed, and even the performers discover the story as it unfolds.
Founded in Chicago in 2005, The Improvised Shakespeare Company has appeared at major venues and festivals including the Kennedy Center, 92nd Street Y, Bonnaroo, San Francisco Sketchfest, Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival, Sun Valley Writers’ Conference, and the Just For Laughs festivals in Montreal and Chicago. Its flagship production, Improvised Shakespeare Chicago, continues its long-running success.
Tickets can be purchased online at mccarter.org, by calling patron services at (609) 258-2787, or in person at the McCarter Theatre Center Box Office, 91 University Place, Princeton.
