Preludes Reviews
The Boston Globe- Somewhat Recommended
"...While overall Prior does not deliver a performance strong enough to draw us completely into Rach’s struggles or impart a sense of urgency and high stakes to the proceedings, the actor does convey just how lost the composer is."
The Arts Fuse- Recommended
"...Malloy achieves dramatic resolution through a score inspired by the composer’s most beloved melodies, an aesthetic mix that unites romantic excess with modern popular idioms. Quotations from the Second Piano Concerto, the “Vocalise,” and Variation 18 from Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini do an effective job of underscoring Rachmaninoff’s self-pity. Malloy wraps these familiar strains in a synth-pop soundscape teeming with beats and assorted electronics, paying tribute to the source material without resorting to either sentimentality or exaggerated anachronism."
New England Theater Mirror- Recommended
"...A heartbeat like rhythm is a cloud cover for the stage. The use of classical, electro-pop and musical loops lend an excitement and wildness. The 13 musical numbers give Malloy and the actors a chance to show their musical chops. Every duet is resplendent, especially those with Prior and Shimizu. Anthony Pires, Jr. is a showstopper as Chaliapin, his movements as lithe as his baritone is full-bodied."
The New England Theatre Geek- Recommended
"...The Preludes cast meets Malloys demands and conquers them. Whatever one might think of the script or the music, the cast does a great job. Kayla Shimizu has both an expressive legit voice and impressive, cathartic-sounding mix. Anthony Pires Jr. bounds across the stage as Chaliapin. Will McGarrahan wears many hats while wearing the same shirt. Aimee Doherty charms as Dahl."
Stage and Cinema- Recommended
"...Don’t be put off from attending this play if you know little about the music of Rachmaninoff. Even with previously limited knowledge, I came away newly curious about the composer and his work, and inspired by the possibilities for overcoming the self-doubt and anxiety that plague most of us. All in all, I found it a satisfying start to 2023, and urge Boston-area theater lovers to attend."