New York State Theater in Lincoln Center (New York, NY)
Broadway and television favorite Richard Kind stars as Dr. Pangloss with Daniel Reichard, from Broadway's Jersey Boys, as the ever-optimistic protagonist in Leonard Bernstein's operetta Candide. Based on the premise that life is what you make of it, a young and optimistic Candide believes that everything works out for the best... until he's tested by trials and tribulations he never imagined.
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The last event was Sunday April 20, 2008 / 1:30pm. (view all dates)
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It was an enthalling show, wonderful scores, and a delight to the eyes with a good story line too. Seats were unexpectedly GREAT.........such a nice surprise to be in Row K in the Orch. at the opera.
Costumes were great, singing was perfect overall a great preformance. Only set back were the seats, I will try not to be so cheap next time, but as this was my first time going to the opera, I choose to go cheap just in case I did not like the show, I loved it and best of all it was in english...
Singing was great, especially by the lead soprano. Seats were better than I expected. But the opera's story is mediocre. If you go to the theater to laugh, think, or be moved or inspired, this isn't the show for you. If you don't mind a silly story that's mildly entertaining and easily forgettable, go to this show for the music. I took my parents, who said it was "goofy but fun." It's worth the half-price rate, but I would have felt cheated had I paid more.
The show was a little boring, although there were some very good numbers. I would highly recommend being familiar with the story before going.
This production of Candide is misconceived. The director seems to mistake a transformative journey for spectacle. The design of the show is dissonant without consciousness, i.e., it is dissonant by error. When I mention design, I am speaking not only of set design, but choreography and stage movement in general. If I am to believe that the score remained untouched in this production, then I believe Mr. Bernstein either misunderstood M. Voltaire or wished to bury him for his own designs. Nevertheless, Voltaire is nowhere to be found in this production. The ending, which should have been the height of sarcasm and cynicism comes off as a "feel-good" ending.
The production was expressed as an opera. It is not opera. Not even close. On the positive side, however, the leads were wonderful. The professional singers (as opposed to Mr. Kind) were marvelous. Mr. Kind did his comedy thing exquisitely. They had a lot to work against.
This production needed to emphasize the transformative journey, not the spectacle. To do that, less is more. In this production, more is less.
It is as if the director did not trust the material. That happens.
Nevertheless, my wife loved the performances even though she also knew that Voltaire (one of her favorite authors) had disappeared. Voltaire would be turning in his grave if he ever saw this Candide. Maybe not. Maybe he just wouldn't give a crap, knowing that it is inevitable that he be misrepresented and misunderstood, even to this day.
This is the 7th or 8th time I've seen Candide over the years. I have to say that this was one of the best sung especially the tenor, Candide. And you can actually understand all the words. My seat was fine, but since this was not a sellout, at intermission I was able to go downstairs and get myself an excellent center seat at no extra cost.
The singing was outstanding.
On the other hand, though I know the show is a comedy, I thought some of the acting was a bit campy...
Mediocre opera ,fizzles in the second act-the principal singers were excellent, supporting staff average, staging was good and the orchestra excellent. Enjoyable overall.
It was more of a broadway comedy production rather than a traditional "Opera". The cast was huge, and there were a lot of modern set changes.
The performance was grand, though.
a great romp - nice set, fun cast, perfect light operetta for Spring.
Most enjoyable. Fine performances by all. Despite 4th ring. very good viewing with my opera glasses!
Show was fine - Bernstein is outstanding-Sondheim too.
This was better than any previous version presented by NYCO. Daniel Reichard (orig. cast "Jersey Boys") was splendid as Candide and sang beautifully.
Daniel Reichard and the rest of the cast were both vocally and comically superb. Excellent show with excellent cast.
Very funny and entertaining
Judy Blazer as the old lady is EXCEPTIONAL!
Ballet dancers and opera singers have called the New York State Theater's stage their own since it opened on April 23, 1964. Home to New York City Ballet and New York City Opera, the classically influenced, rectangular structure sits on the southeast corner of Lincoln Center for the Performing Art's airy Fountain Plaza. It comprises one of the three principal venues the others being the Metropolit... More
Hailed by The New York Times as “a 14-karat triumph,” this Harold Prince production is back by popular demand. Leonard Bernstein’s finest score features a sparkling overture and beloved arias, and New York Magazine raves, “City Opera makes the most of every glorious note. Never before has it sounded so good.”
A prized jewel in the City Opera repertory, the New York Post proclaims, “it’s history making and shouldn’t be missed!”
Young and optimistic, Candide believes that everything works out for the best…until he’s tested by trials and tribulations he never imagined. Soon, he discovers his destiny lies in his own hands—and not the hands of fate.
Sung in English with English supertitles
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Book by Hugh Wheeler
Lyrics by Richard Wilbur
Additional Lyrics by Leonard Bernstein, John Latouche, and Stephen Sondheim
Orchestrations by Hershy Kay and Leonard Bernstein
Additional orchestrations by John Mauceri
Conductor: George Manahan
Production: Harold Prince
Stage Director: Arthur Masella
Choreographer: Patricia Birch
Set Designer: Clarke Dunham
Costume Designer: Judith Dolan
Lighting Designer: Ken Billington
Sound Designer: Abe Jacob
Casting Consultant: Mark Simon, C.S.A.
Supertitles: Celeste Montemarano
Cast:
Candide: Daniel Reichard
Cunegonde (April 8th, 10th, 12th-mat, 13th-mat, 16th, 18th, 19th-eve, 20th-mat): Lauren Worsham
Cunegonde (April 9th, 11th, 12th-eve, 15th, 17th, 19th-mat): Lielle Berman
Paquette: Jessica Wright
The Old Lady: Judith Blazer
Maximillian: Kyle Pfortmiller
Dr. Pangloss: Richard Kind
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