Actor Kevin Spacey will perform a show, “Songs & Stories,” accompanied by a jazz band on November 19 at Tel Aviv’s Hangar 11.
Spacey referenced his prolific career and more recent trials for sexual misconduct in a quirky, somewhat personal promotional video for the new show.
“So I’m back on the road,” he said. “However you know me, I’m hopeful that you will join me this November as I take the stage with my band.”
Beginning in 2017, Spacey was accused by dozens of men of sexual misconduct of varying degrees, and multiple legal cases were filed against him.
He was acquitted in two different cases of charges of sexual misconduct, one in 2022 in New York, after actor Anthony Rapp accused him of committing battery in 1986, when Rapp was 14, and in 2023, when a UK court found Spacey not guilty on nine charges of sexual assault.
When the accusations first emerged, the Academy Award-winning actor, known for films such as “The Usual Suspects” and “American Beauty,” and the TV series “House of Cards,” saw his career come to a halt.
This image released by Netflix shows Kevin Spacey in a scene from “House Of Cards.” Netflix says it’s suspending production on “House of Cards” following harassment allegations against Spacey. (David Giesbrecht/Netflix via AP)
He was fired from Netflix and his role in “House of Cards,” and ordered to pay some $30 million in damages to the streaming giant.
Spacey was also replaced by Christopher Plummer in the 2017 film “All The Money In The World,” while his planned biopic of writer Gore Vidal was also shelved.
The actor said in a 2024 interview with Piers Morgan that he is “many millions” in debt from legal fees, his home is in foreclosure, and he currently has no money.
He appears to be seeking a comeback after his acquittals. He was honored at a benefit gala in Cannes, France in May, during the film festival there.
He also appeared at the Venice Film Festival in September to promote his directorial comeback, “Holiguards Saga – The Portal of Force,” a new sci-fi project produced by a Ukrainian producer and entrepreneur.
Spacey will perform “Songs & Stories” in Cyprus at two locations, several days before arriving in Israel.
The show’s producer, Alon Yorick, told Ynet that he’s excited to host Spacey in Israel.
He called Spacey “a true friend of Israel,” who is coming to perform during a sensitive time, referring to the growing cultural boycott Israel is currently experiencing.
“Despite refusals from many international artists and media and cultural figures to come to Israel at this time,” said Yorick, “Spacey responded positively to our invitation and will come to embrace the Israeli audience.”
Spacey visited Israel in December 2024, touring the Gaza border region and sites attacked by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, with British author Douglas Murray.
During the visit, Spacey made a surprise visit to a lone soldier whose father is a friend of his. He also gave an acting master class at the Nissan Nativ Acting Studio in Tel Aviv, working with students on classical monologues.
Actor Kevin Spacey visits the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City. December 3, 2024.(Chaim Goldberg FLASH90)
At the time, the acting school director said he informed students about the actor’s trials and the allegations against him, and didn’t require them to attend. Two students opted out of the class, and after the two-hour lesson, Spacey received a standing ovation.
Spacey’s upcoming visit to perform “Songs & Stories” isn’t the first time he has taken to the stage with song and dance.
In 2024, he made a surprise appearance in a Prague restaurant with Czech swing musician Jan Smigmator.
At the 2017 Tony Awards ceremony, hosted by Spacey, he sang and danced through the start of the broadcast from New York’s Radio City Music Hall in a medley of numbers playing off current Broadway musicals.
Tickets for “Songs and Stories” in Tel Aviv start at NIS 254 ($75) and range to NIS 804 ($245). The Cyprus appearances offer a platinum VIP ticket that includes 30 minutes with the actor.
