Backstage at CANDIDE

Leonard Bernstein's Candide, which The New York Post hailed as "beautifully conducted by the versatile George Manahan," has returned to the New York State Theater for a limited engagement through April 20th. This week, the City Opera blog staff went backstage before the show to take pictures and get the inside scoop. Just how does the cast of this fast-moving production prepare themselves for the stage? Please see below for highlights.

 

 

On Lielle Berman's first night playing Candide's Mademoiselle Cunegonde, there is a bit of trauma with her fake eyelashes.  "One of them won't stick properly," she tells the makeup artist, who then reapplies the eyelash glue and evens out her foundation.  Lielle tries out a few test-blinks and gives her makeup artist the thumbs-up.  Afterwards, she sips water and reads a "good luck" card from the director.  When she's asked about her pre-show routine, she is thoughtful for a moment.  "Hmm... what do I do before a show?  I guess that depends on the day.  Usually, I'm just running around annoying the hair, makeup and costume people.  Or maybe that's more during the show," she jokes.  "I actually don't have much of a routine.  I just do whatever feels good that particular day.  I keep trying to remember to eat something before I get my makeup on, because I usually forget, and then I'm starving by intermission!  But the one thing I always do is a slow and leisurely vocal warm up."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandy Rosenberg, who plays the Baroness, has one of the earliest makeup calls of anyone in the cast.  To prepare for a performance of Candide, she arrives in makeup almost two hours before the show.  Today, as she waits for hairstylist Suzy Alvarez to put the finishing touches on her wig (the crown is attached, so it must be adjusted several times) Sandy tries to make herself and Suzy laugh.  "After my makeup and hair is done, I look in the mirror and make funny faces... A bit redundant, you might say.  But laughing at myself in the mirror loosens up the vocal muscles, and voila!  I am ready for the show!"

 

 

 

As Suzy applies bobby pins to the front of his wig, Daniel Reichard, who plays the title character of Candide, jokes that he's the only person to arrive at hair & makeup shirtless.  Each night, Daniel's call-time is exactly two-hours before the performance so that the makeup team can apply a special foundation to his chest and arms.  Says Daniel, "Anyone who has ever worked with me knows I like to show up for work as late as I possibly can.  But for Candide, I am here hours early.  The process of getting ready is quite drawn out."  As Daniel waits patiently for his wig to be secured, he reveals some of his pre-show rituals.  "I vocalize a little, get my makeup done, get my wig on, vocalize some more, chat with Judy Blazer, put my costume on, vocalize, chat with Judy Blazer..." 

 

From across the room, Judy Blazer points at Daniel and jokes, "Look at him!  Isn't he adorable?"

 

 

 

With twenty minutes to curtain, Jessica Wright (Paquette) wanders in with her blush brushes for a pre-show touch-up.  Each night, Jessica must make at least two trips to hair & makeup -- first for her face and wig, and once she's gotten into costume, for her cleavage as well.  "Paquette is really well-endowed," jokes Jessica.    About her pre-show rituals, Jessica says, "I wish I had some fabulous and strange ritual I went through that was interesting and fascinating, but alas, I'm pretty much the same chatty gal before a show as I am having coffee with my friends.  I suppose I make a conscious effort to get enough sleep so that I can be sharp and in focus while onstage.  Sleep also insures the voice is strong and flexible.  I'm also one of those actors who likes to get to the theatre early so I can get ready at a calm and relaxed pace.  (Um, and socialize too...)  Something I've found totally enjoyable about the opera world is your wig prep and makeup are all done for you!  In musical theatre, it's more likely that you will go to the wig room having prepared your pin curls and makeup yourself, unless it's a very complicated makeup plot.  So as long as I get to the theatre in time to sit in the makeup chair by my appointed time, all is well with the world and I feel comfortable and relaxed going into the show."