John Malkovich has canceled his planned 2027 performance of The Music Critic in Tel Aviv after a press release attributed statements to him that he says he never made or approved.
The actor said a public relations company hired by the show’s Israeli promoter drafted the quote without consulting him.
Malkovich was scheduled to perform at the Charles Bronfman Auditorium in Tel Aviv on April 13, 2027.
Fast Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Actor | John Malkovich |
| Show | The Music Critic |
| Location | Tel Aviv, Israel |
| Scheduled date | April 13, 2027 |
| Venue | Charles Bronfman Auditorium |
| Reason for cancellation | False quote attributed to Malkovich |
| Quote he disputed | He was “thrilled to return to Israel” |
| Promoter | Alon Yurick |
| PR company | Hired by the Israeli promoter |
| Malkovich’s position | He did not make, approve or authorize the quoted statement |
What Happened With the Quote?
A press release issued on September 5 promoted Malkovich’s planned Tel Aviv performance.
The release quoted him as saying he was “thrilled to return to Israel” and looked forward to meeting the Israeli audience, to whom he supposedly felt a strong “closeness and solidarity.”
Malkovich said he never made those statements.
He told The Hollywood Reporter that he was not consulted before the remarks were published and that the words did not reflect his feelings.
Why Did Malkovich Cancel the Show?
Malkovich said the false attribution made his participation in the Tel Aviv performance impossible.
In his statement, he described the publication of the remarks as “unacceptable and untenable.”
He also said that appearing in a country should not automatically be interpreted as support for that country’s government, policies or political positions.
The actor said his performances do not represent solidarity with a particular political cause or approval of violence or terrorism.
PR Firm Apologizes
The Israeli publicity firm involved in promoting the show later issued an apology.
The company said Malkovich did not make, provide, authorize or approve the statement attributed to him.
It apologized to the actor and his representatives and said it regretted the incorrect attribution.
The firm’s name was not identified in the reports.
The Jerusalem Post Removes the Quote
The disputed remarks had appeared in a story by The Jerusalem Post, which had first reported the Tel Aviv performance.
After Malkovich’s representatives clarified the situation, the publication removed the statement.
An editor’s note said the quote had been falsely attributed to Malkovich and that the show’s Israeli producer had described the original quote as the result of a misunderstanding.
The Jewish Chronicle had also published the remarks.
Malkovich’s Previous Visits to Israel
Malkovich has previously performed in Israel.
He visited the country in 2008 as a guest of honor at the Jerusalem Film Festival.
He returned in 2013 to perform The Infernal Comedy: Confessions of a Serial Killer at events in Eilat and Tel Aviv.
His cancellation therefore follows previous professional appearances in the country.
What Is The Music Critic?
The Music Critic is a satirical theatrical and musical production created by Russian-German Jewish violinist and composer Aleksey Igudesman.
Malkovich plays a music critic who delivers negative assessments of famous classical composers while their works are performed.
Malkovich said the production is one of several classical music and live-theater collaborations he has toured internationally for nearly two decades.
He said he had performed the work in 47 countries at the time of his statement.
Malkovich’s Broader Statement on Performing Abroad
Malkovich said his career has taken him to countries whose governments or cultures he does not necessarily share.
He argued that performing internationally allows artists to encounter different audiences and perspectives.
He also defended artistic freedom, saying he believes culture and art can help people confront conflict and grief.
For Malkovich, the immediate issue was not simply where the performance was scheduled, but that words had been publicly attributed to him without his consent.
The planned April 2027 Tel Aviv performance has now been canceled.
