Under the direction of Ralph Petillo, Candide will run through Aug. 15 on the Unicorn Stage. Whitley stars in the title roll opposite McCaela Donovan as Cunegonde and Ben Rosenblatt as Dr. Pangloss.

Candide also features Julia Broder as The Old Woman, Kyle Schaefer as Maximillian, Becky Webber as Paquette, as well as Michael Brahce, Robert McFadyen, Samantha Richert, Matt Stern, Elizabeth Ard, Rachel Copel, Devin Doyle, Melissa Dvozenja, Arne Gjelten, Anna Koehler, Miles C. Rice, Stephen G. Rowland, Maximilian Schadler, Melanie Siegel and Jaclyn Walsh.

Based on the Voltaire novel, the operetta has a score by Bernstein, a book by Hugh Wheeler and lyrics by Richard Wilbur with additional lyrics by Bernstein, John Latouche and Stephen Sondheim.

According to BTF, Candide "tells the story of a young man's journey of self-discovery as he tries to find his place in a world that appears to be growing increasingly hostile. Candide is a simple young man in love with the lovely Cunégonde who holds the firm belief that he resides in the 'Best of All Possible Worlds.' Once he and his love are separated, in order to reunite they must overcome a chain of bizarre situations."

The Berkshire Theatre Festival production has a design team including Erin E. Kiernan (scenic design), Jessica Risser-Milne (costume design), Jaime Davidson (lighting design) and Janie Bullard (sound design). Matthew Stern serves as musical director. For tickets call the BTF box office at (413) 298-5576 or visit BerkshireTheatreFestival.