The musical theatre of Leonard Bernstein — especially Candide — will be the focus of two broadcasts in the 2001-02 season of PBS' "Great Performances."

Violinist Joshua Bell and actress-singer Kristin Chenoweth collaborate on "Joshua Bell: West Side Story Suite from Central Park." The New York Philharmonic accompanies Bell as he plays renditions of "Somewhere," "Tonight," and "Maria." Chenoweth, meanwhile, sings "Lonely Town" from Wonderful Town and "Glitter and Be Gay" from Candide.

Chenoweth soared to stardom after winning a Tony Award for her performance as the feisty Sally Brown in the Broadway revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. She then starred in the short-lived Epic Proportions before going to Hollywood to act in two different television series, one of which, "Kristin," has already been canceled after a brief run. She released the album "Let Yourself Go" earlier this year.

Great Performances will also air a new television adaptation of the recent Royal National Theatre production of the oft-revived, but never quite perfected, Candide. Daniel Evans plays the title role, Alex Kelly is Cunegonde and Simon Russell Beale essays the double role of Voltaire and Dr. Pangloss.

No dates have been annouced. Check your local television listings. —By Robert Simonson