On May 17 Image Entertainment will release the Candide DVD, which has a running time of 116 minutes. This version of Candide will contain Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 Audio Tracks. Also aired on PBS' "Great Performances" series, Candide starred Tony winners Chenoweth and LuPone as, respectively, Cunegonde and The Old Lady. They were joined by tenor Paul Groves in the title role, tenor Stanford Olsen as Governor/Vanderdendur/Ragotski and baritone Sir Thomas Allen as Pangloss/Martin. The concerts, helmed by Lonny Price, also featured the Westminster Symphonic Choir under the direction of Joseph Flummerfelt. Marin Alsop conducted the Philharmonic.

The cast also boasted Michael McCormick (Baron/Inquisitor/Don Issachar/Cacambo), Gina Ferrall (Baroness/Sheep), Janine LaManna (Paquette), Jeff Blumenkrantz (Maximillian), Michael McElroy (Judge/Captain/Crook), John Herrera (Judge/Aide/Prefect/Governor), Ray Wills (Heresy Agent/Archbishop/Priest) and Patty Goble (Sheep).

Jim Noone provided the stage design with costumes by Tracy Christensen, lighting by Kevin Adams, sound by Tom Clark, choreography by Casey Nickalaw and combat direction by Rick Sordelet.

Based on Voltaire's novel, Candide premiered on Broadway in 1956 at the Martin Beck Theatre. Although it boasted music by Leonard Bernstein, a book by Lillian Hellman and additional lyrics by John La Touche, Dorothy Parker and Richard Wilbur, the musical ran a brief 73 performances. The 1997 revival at the Gershwin Theatre featured a cast led by Jim Dale, Andrea Martin, Jason Danieley and Harolyn Blackwell.

The Candide DVD will have a suggested retail price of $24.99. For more information visit www.image-entertainment.com.