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Greetings from the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston! I'm thrilled to be back in Candide, after successful runs last year at the Goodman Theatre and Shakespeare Theatre in DC, singing this glorious score, sharing the stage with a phenomenal cast of hilarious, smart actors, and bringing Mary Zimmerman's creative new book and beautiful staging to life. The audiences in Boston have been incredible. I'm truly living the dream, not just playing the dream role of Cunegonde, but in a production that is so innovative and imaginative.
We all have so much fun onstage and backstage. I can always count on a good hard belly laugh when hanging out with my cast. Here's a fun fact: every intermission there are heated games of Bananagrams happening in the green room.
We run until October 16th, so come visit us! This Candide is unlike any other and truly deserves to be seen and experienced.
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A Tony winner for Metamorphosis, Zimmerman premiered her vision of Candide at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago early last fall in a co-production with Washington, DC's Shakespeare Theatre Company, where it arrived in late November. Zimmerman has expanded the scope of the musical to incorporate more material from the original Voltaire novel. Candide will continue through Oct. 16.
The Huntington production reunites many players from the original engagements, including Helen Hayes Award winners Packard in the title role and Molina (Ten Cents a Dance, Sweeney Todd, Rock of Ages) as Cunegonde. Also returning in principal roles are Larry Yando as Pangloss and Erik Lochtefeld as Maximilian.
The Boston company also includes Cheryl Stern (Old Lady), McCaela Donovan (Pacquette), Tom Aulino (Martin), Spencer Curnutt (Sailor), Alexander Elisa (Soldier), Rebecca Finnegan (Vanderdendur), Evan Harrington (Orator), Abby Mueller (Orator’s Wife), Jeff Parker (Anabaptist), Jesse Perez (Cacambo), Emma Rosenthal (Bird), Cheryl Stern (Old Lady), Timothy John Smith (Governor), Joey Stone (Soldier), Tempe Thomas (Queen of El Dorado), Travis Turner (Servant) and swings Tom Hamlett, Shonna McEachern and Matt Spano.
Candide has music by Bernstein, book by Hugh Wheeler, lyrics by Richard Wilbur, Stephen Sondheim, John LaTouche, Lillian Hellman, Dorothy Parker and Bernstein.
The creative team includes Doug Peck (musical direction), Daniel Pelzig (choreography), Dan Ostling (scenic design), Mara Blumenfeld (costume design), Timothy J. Gerckens (lighting design) and Richard Woodbury (sound design).
According to the Huntington, "The quick-paced story follows the young Candide, living on his Baron uncle’s manor estate and studying the philosophy of Dr. Pangloss, who teaches that everything happens for the best. When Candide and the Baron’s daughter Cunegonde fall in love and are discovered, they are cast out into the world. The audience takes a satirical ride with the pair through adventures and misfortunes that test their seemingly undoubting optimism."
Phone (617) 266-0800 or visit Huntington Theatre Company.
