Candide - 1991

History

Based on Voltaire's satirical masterpiece, "Candide" tells the story a young man, Candide, who is determined to follow his instructor's creed of mindless optimism. Even after being banished from his homeland, captured by Bulgarians, beaten and left for dead by the Spanish Inquisition, robbed of everything he owns, and torn repeatedly from the woman he loves, Candide still clings to the philosophy that everything is for the best in this, "the best of all possible worlds." He and his friends eventually find themselves in a cave in Turkestan, seeking guidance from the Wisest Man in the World--a ghost from their past who has a surprising revelation for them!

CANDIDE was originally produced at the Martin Beck Theatre, New York, on December 1, 1956, with a cast that featured Max Adrian (Dr. Pangloss), Robert Rounseville (Candide), Barbara Cook (Cunegonde), Louis Edmonds (Maximilian), and Irra Petina (Old Lady). In 1973, the play was revised in a one-act version with a new book by Hugh Wheeler and additional lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

This new version premiered at the Chelsea Theatre Centre, Brooklyn, on December 19, 1973, and moved to the Broadway Theatre, New York on March 8, 1974, with a cast that featured Lewis J. Stadlen (Dr. Pangloss), Mark Baker (Candide), Maureen Brennan (Cunegonde), Sam Freed (Maximilian), June Gable (Old Lady), and Deborah St. Darr (Paquette). This production went on to win 3 Tony Awards: Best Director (Harold Prince), Best Book (Hugh Wheeler), and Best Costume Design (Franne Lee). The 1997 Broadway revival earned 4 Tony Award nominations and won Best Costume Design (Judith Dolan).