Candide

Candide (1956), a musical satire by Lillian Hellman (book), Leonard Bernstein (music), Richard Wilbur, John Latouche, Dorothy Parker (lyrics). [Martin Beck Theatre, 73 perf.] Tutored by the incorrigibly optimistic Doctor Pangloss ( Max Adrian) who feels we live in “The Best of All Possible Worlds,” young Candide ( Robert Rounseville) marries Cunegonde ( Barbara Cook) and prepares to enjoy life. Instead, war breaks out and Cunegonde is carried off. At one point she is forced to lead the life of a demimonde while Candide spends years traveling about the world searching for his bride, for success, and for understanding. He discovers Cunegonde and loses her again several times before he takes her back to Westphalia, where they will live a simple life together. Notable songs: Glitter and Be Gay; Make Our Garden Grow; I Am Easily Assimilated; What's the Use? Louis Kronenberger saw this musical rendition of Voltaire's novella as “a medley of the brilliant, the uneven, the exciting, the earthbound, the adventurous and the imperfectly harmonized.” Such tempered criticism discouraged all but the most dedicated playgoers. Not until Hal Prince staged a drastically revised version in 1974 did the operetta win popular acceptance. The revival altered the book and opened up the action, taking it to all parts of the auditorium. Unlike the original, the 1974 production included no instantly recognizable names in the cast. In recent years major opera companies have added the work to their repertories, though a 1997 Broadway revival failed to run. The Overture is the most famous piece from the work, performed by orchestras around he world.