This past Tuesday, I left after my final class prepared to go see Candide.  (My preparation involved meeting up with a dear friend and grabbing dinner.)  As we entered the lobby of the theater, I thought back to my experience at Candide's final, non-dress rehearsal: directors conferring at the production table, cast members plopping down with a book after an extravagant musical number, ensemble members chatting quietly on the sidelines.  Remember how I said that the show was mesmerizing with virtually no set, costumes, or props?

 

When I entered the theater, I was overcome with immense anticipation.  What would the set look like, since the show is already so appealing by itself?  The set, as it turned out, succeeded in engaging the audience even more.  In this production of Candide, the story is presented as if by a troupe of traveling actors on a pageant wagon.  The effect is very welcoming; the production fully embraces the fact that we are all sitting in a darkened room to watch a story.  In fact, the cast walks through the audience at many times during the performance!

 

Out of the troupe of players comes Richard Kind, who narrates as well as plays various roles.  In a recent interview, Kind said that he wanted to focus on making clear the drastic changes in plot throughout the story of Candide; he succeeded with flying colors!  Even as a longtime fan of Candide, I have never understood the story more.

 

The rest of the cast of characters are just as strong: Daniel Reichard wins hearts as a tenderly oblivious Candide, Lauren Worsham and Judith Blazer are equally hilarious as two generations of spunky beauties, and the juxtaposition of Kyle Pfortmiller's beautiful baritone and youthful antics was hysterical.  One of my favorite standout performances was that of Jessica Wright as Paquette.  Maybe it was the surprising power and timbre of her voice, maybe it was her naïve playfulness, but I look forward to seeing more from her.

 

For all of you who have yet to see Candide, be sure to check out New York City Opera's Opera-For-All program.  You get to sit in the first two-three rows of the entire theater for only 25 dollars!  If you sit in the first couple rows, the cast will walk right by you, and if you're lucky, Richard Kind might just sit on your lap!  As for me, I'll be seeing Candide again next week!