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CandideOpening Date: May 5, 2004
Closing Date: May 8, 2004 Air date: Jan 12, 2005 Medium: TV Where to watch: DVD and Blu-Ray (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through this link) |
Stage Production Notes
Leonard Bernstein’s operetta Candide was based on the French novel Candide, ou L’Optimisme by Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire. The story was a criticism of the notion that “All is for the best in the best of all possible worlds,” and followed the life of Candide, a young man seeking happiness in the world and encountering war, famine, and grief.
Initially collaborating with Lillian Hellman, Bernstein wrote the score in the early 1950s. He premiered the Overture in 1956 with the New York Philharmonic. According to the 2004 production’s program notes, the piece is now one of the Bernstein’s most frequently performed symphonic compositions.
Candide was first performed in Boston. The out-of-town try-outs were infamous for running long, with the curtain coming down until well after midnight on at least one occasion.
The show opened on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre on December 1, 1956. The production was directed by Tyrone Guthrie, and featured Max Adrian as Dr. Pangloss, Barbara Cook as Cunegonde, Irra Petina as the Old Lady, and Robert Rouseville as Candide.
The production received positive reviews, with New York Times theatre critic Brooks Atkinson describing it as a “brilliant musical satire,” and praising Bernstein’s “wonderful score,” and the visual sumptuousness of the production.
Candide was nominated for multiple awards, including five Tony Awards.
Despite the critical praise, the show was a commercial flop and closed on February 2, 1957 after 73 performances.
With its epic score and lush orchestrations, Candide has continued to be performed around the world, with productions in England, Scotland, Israel, and across the United States. The script has seen many revisions, with Stephen Sondheim, Richard Wilbur, John La Touche, and Dorothy Parker all contributing updates to the lyrics and book. Bernstein continued making revisions until a few years before his death in 1990. There are now at least seven different versions of the show.
Candide has been revived twice on Broadway, both times under the direction of Hal Prince. The first revival took place in 1974 at the Broadway Theatre with a new book written by Hugh Wheeler. The production was revived in 1997 at the Gershwin Theatre starring Jim Dale, Harolyn Blackwell, Andrea Martin, and Jason Danieley.
The New York City Opera staged a concert version of what Bernstein considered to be the definitive version in 1986.
The definitive version was performed in full at the Barbican Theatre in London in 1989. The production featured the London Symphony Orchestra, and starred Adolph Green, June Anderson, Christa Ludwig, and Jerry Hadley. It was videotaped live on December 13, 1989, and released on VHS in 1991.
The video received mixed reviews. Martin Bernheimer, writing for the Los Angeles Times described it as a “sad testament.” while the Wall Street Journal’s Mark Swed stated “The video is the one to have.” In a review for Musical America, Charles Passey noted “what makes the video special is the sheer "liveness" of it: Virtually all the singers radiate in a way that is simply not possible on the recording.”
A studio recording was released in 1991 under the title Bernstein Conducts Candide.
The New York Philharmonic presented a staged concert version of Candide at Lincoln Center as a part of its 2004 season. More information can be found below in the Filmed Production Notes.
Candide returned to Lincoln Center in January 2017, where it performed a limited engagement at the Rose Theater.
Leonard Bernstein’s operetta Candide was based on the French novel Candide, ou L’Optimisme by Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire. The story was a criticism of the notion that “All is for the best in the best of all possible worlds,” and followed the life of Candide, a young man seeking happiness in the world and encountering war, famine, and grief.
Initially collaborating with Lillian Hellman, Bernstein wrote the score in the early 1950s. He premiered the Overture in 1956 with the New York Philharmonic. According to the 2004 production’s program notes, the piece is now one of the Bernstein’s most frequently performed symphonic compositions.
Candide was first performed in Boston. The out-of-town try-outs were infamous for running long, with the curtain coming down until well after midnight on at least one occasion.
The show opened on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre on December 1, 1956. The production was directed by Tyrone Guthrie, and featured Max Adrian as Dr. Pangloss, Barbara Cook as Cunegonde, Irra Petina as the Old Lady, and Robert Rouseville as Candide.
The production received positive reviews, with New York Times theatre critic Brooks Atkinson describing it as a “brilliant musical satire,” and praising Bernstein’s “wonderful score,” and the visual sumptuousness of the production.
Candide was nominated for multiple awards, including five Tony Awards.
Despite the critical praise, the show was a commercial flop and closed on February 2, 1957 after 73 performances.
With its epic score and lush orchestrations, Candide has continued to be performed around the world, with productions in England, Scotland, Israel, and across the United States. The script has seen many revisions, with Stephen Sondheim, Richard Wilbur, John La Touche, and Dorothy Parker all contributing updates to the lyrics and book. Bernstein continued making revisions until a few years before his death in 1990. There are now at least seven different versions of the show.
Candide has been revived twice on Broadway, both times under the direction of Hal Prince. The first revival took place in 1974 at the Broadway Theatre with a new book written by Hugh Wheeler. The production was revived in 1997 at the Gershwin Theatre starring Jim Dale, Harolyn Blackwell, Andrea Martin, and Jason Danieley.
The New York City Opera staged a concert version of what Bernstein considered to be the definitive version in 1986.
The definitive version was performed in full at the Barbican Theatre in London in 1989. The production featured the London Symphony Orchestra, and starred Adolph Green, June Anderson, Christa Ludwig, and Jerry Hadley. It was videotaped live on December 13, 1989, and released on VHS in 1991.
The video received mixed reviews. Martin Bernheimer, writing for the Los Angeles Times described it as a “sad testament.” while the Wall Street Journal’s Mark Swed stated “The video is the one to have.” In a review for Musical America, Charles Passey noted “what makes the video special is the sheer "liveness" of it: Virtually all the singers radiate in a way that is simply not possible on the recording.”
A studio recording was released in 1991 under the title Bernstein Conducts Candide.
The New York Philharmonic presented a staged concert version of Candide at Lincoln Center as a part of its 2004 season. More information can be found below in the Filmed Production Notes.
Candide returned to Lincoln Center in January 2017, where it performed a limited engagement at the Rose Theater.
Filmed Production Notes
Under the direction of Lonny Price, the limited engagement New York Philharmonic concert featured Sir Thomas Allen as Dr. Pangloss, Kristin Chenoweth as Cunegonde, Patti LuPone as The Old Lady, and Paul Groves as Candide.
According to the Director’s Note, the production was a “hybrid; part Hal Prince's original cut down version, part the New York City Opera version, part the Scottish Opera House version, and part a standard concert version.”
The show received mixed reviews. Writing for New York Magazine, Peter G. Davis stated that the characters had been “reduced to cartoon cliches,” and that the production felt “cobbled together.” New York Times music reviewer Anthony Tommasini described the production as “inventive…vibrant and often delightful.”
The penultimate performance on May 7, 2004 was broadcast live on radio via NPR station WNYC-FM.
The final performance on May 8, 2004 was filmed live for television broadcast. PBS aired the show on Great Performances on January 12, 2005.
A DVD of the concert was released on May 17, 2005. In a review for Playbill, writer Steven Suskin stated that it was “Not the best of all possible Candides,” though noted it was special for being the first version of the show to be released on DVD.
Candide was briefly available on Digital Theatre and BroadwayHD.
Candide is now available on DVD and Blu-Ray (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from this link).
Under the direction of Lonny Price, the limited engagement New York Philharmonic concert featured Sir Thomas Allen as Dr. Pangloss, Kristin Chenoweth as Cunegonde, Patti LuPone as The Old Lady, and Paul Groves as Candide.
According to the Director’s Note, the production was a “hybrid; part Hal Prince's original cut down version, part the New York City Opera version, part the Scottish Opera House version, and part a standard concert version.”
The show received mixed reviews. Writing for New York Magazine, Peter G. Davis stated that the characters had been “reduced to cartoon cliches,” and that the production felt “cobbled together.” New York Times music reviewer Anthony Tommasini described the production as “inventive…vibrant and often delightful.”
The penultimate performance on May 7, 2004 was broadcast live on radio via NPR station WNYC-FM.
The final performance on May 8, 2004 was filmed live for television broadcast. PBS aired the show on Great Performances on January 12, 2005.
A DVD of the concert was released on May 17, 2005. In a review for Playbill, writer Steven Suskin stated that it was “Not the best of all possible Candides,” though noted it was special for being the first version of the show to be released on DVD.
Candide was briefly available on Digital Theatre and BroadwayHD.
Candide is now available on DVD and Blu-Ray (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from this link).
Candide PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Avery Fisher Hall
Producer: New York Philharmonic, Ellen M. Krass, Mort Swinsky, Iris Merlis, Jay Good,
Book: Hugh Wheeler
Book adaptation: Lonny Price
Music: Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics: Richard Wilbur
Additional Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim, John Latouche, Lillian Hellman, Leonard Bernstein
Director: Lonny Price
Musical Director: Lorin Maazel
Orchestrations: Leonard Bernstein, Hershy Kay; additional orchestrations: John Mauceri
Dance arrangements and incidental music:
Choreography: Casey Nicholaw
Scenic Design: James Noone
Costume Design: Tracy Christensen
Lighting Design: Kevin Adams
Conductor: Marin Alsop
Cast:
Paul Groves (Candide), Kristin Chenoweth (Cunegonde), Sir Thomas Allen (Dr. Pangloss), Patti LuPone (The Old Lady), Michael McCormick (Baron/Inquisitor/Don Issachar/Cacambo), Gina Ferrall (Baroness/Sheep), Janine LaManna (Paquette), John Herrera (Judge/Aide/Prefect/Governor), Jeff Blumenkrantz (Maximillian), Michael McElroy (Judge/Captain/Crook), Ray Wills (Heresy Agent/Archbishop/Priest), Patty Goble (Sheep), Stanford Olsen (Vanderdendur/Ragotski) New York Philharmonic, Westminster Symphonic Choir, Julliard Undergraduate Workshop
Theatre: Avery Fisher Hall
Producer: New York Philharmonic, Ellen M. Krass, Mort Swinsky, Iris Merlis, Jay Good,
Book: Hugh Wheeler
Book adaptation: Lonny Price
Music: Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics: Richard Wilbur
Additional Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim, John Latouche, Lillian Hellman, Leonard Bernstein
Director: Lonny Price
Musical Director: Lorin Maazel
Orchestrations: Leonard Bernstein, Hershy Kay; additional orchestrations: John Mauceri
Dance arrangements and incidental music:
Choreography: Casey Nicholaw
Scenic Design: James Noone
Costume Design: Tracy Christensen
Lighting Design: Kevin Adams
Conductor: Marin Alsop
Cast:
Paul Groves (Candide), Kristin Chenoweth (Cunegonde), Sir Thomas Allen (Dr. Pangloss), Patti LuPone (The Old Lady), Michael McCormick (Baron/Inquisitor/Don Issachar/Cacambo), Gina Ferrall (Baroness/Sheep), Janine LaManna (Paquette), John Herrera (Judge/Aide/Prefect/Governor), Jeff Blumenkrantz (Maximillian), Michael McElroy (Judge/Captain/Crook), Ray Wills (Heresy Agent/Archbishop/Priest), Patty Goble (Sheep), Stanford Olsen (Vanderdendur/Ragotski) New York Philharmonic, Westminster Symphonic Choir, Julliard Undergraduate Workshop
Sources
Books
Articles
Websites
- David Bleiler, TLA Film, Video, and DVD Guide 2002-2003: The Discerning Film Lover's Guide, St Martin’s Press (2014)
Articles
- Brooks Atkinson, “The Theatre: Candide,” New York Times (Dec 3, 1956)
- Peter G. David, “Garden Variety,” New York Magazine (May 24, 2004)
- Andrew Gans, “Candide — with LuPone and Chenoweth — to Arrive on DVD in May,” Playbill (March 24, 2005)
- Andrew Gans, “Candide, Starring Patti LuPone and Kristin Chenoweth, Will Be Available Online from Digital Theatre,” Playbill (May 29, 2014)
- Adam Hetrick, “BroadwayHD Adds Imelda Staunton Gypsy, LuPone Sweeney Todd, Company, Follies,” Playbill (April 14, 2016)
- Robert Simonson, Andrew Gans, “Chenoweth and LuPone Sing Candide on PBS Jan. 12,” Playbill (Jan 12, 2005)
- Steven Suskin, “THE DVD SHELF: Candide, Long Day's Journey and James (Dean) & Julie (Harris),” Playbill (June 19, 2005)
- Anthony Tommasini, “Voltaire Via Bernstein, Donald Trump Reference Included,” New York Times (May 7, 2004)
- Sam Zolotow, “Run of Candide may close Feb 2,” New York Times (Jan 18, 1957)
Websites
- Michael H. Hutchins, Sondheim Guide, “Candide: 2004 New York Philharmonic Concerts” Accessed via: http://www.sondheimguide.com/Candide/04nypo.html
- Michael H. Hutchins, Sondheim Guide, “A Guide to Leonard Bernstein’s Candide,” Accessed via: http://www.sondheimguide.com/Candide/index.html
- New York Philharmonic Leon Levy Digital Archives, “2004 May 05, 06, 07, 08 / Subscription Season / Alsop,” Accessed via: http://archives.nyphil.org/index.php/artifact/e4e2756c-d17c-4bbd-b223-cc597af71987/fullview#page/1/mode/2up
- Playbill, “Candide”, Accessed via: http://www.playbill.com/production/candide-martin-beck-theatre-vault-0000008270
Written by Luisa Lyons (May, 2017, updated May 2020)