"Great Performances" Candide (2005)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Lonny Price

Writers:

Lonny Price (adaptation)
Voltaire (novel)

TV Series:

"Great Performances" (1972)

Original Air Date:

12 January 2005 (Season 33, Episode 3)

Genre:

Comedy | Music | Musical | Romance

Plot:

A concert performance of Bernstein's famous musical. |

Plot Keywords:

Character Name In Title | Dance | Opera | Concert | Broadway Musical

Cast

Thomas Allen	...	Narrator / Dr. Pangloss / Voltaire
Paul Groves	...	Candide
Michael McCormick	...	Baron / Inquisitor / Don Issachar / Cacambo
Gina Ferrall	...	Baroness / Sheep
Janine LaManna	...	Paquette
Kristin Chenoweth	...	Cunegonde
Jeff Blumenkrantz	...	Maximillian
Michael McElroy	...	Judge / Captain / Crook
John Herrera	...	Governor / Prefect
Ray Wills	...	Heresy Agent / Archbishop / Priest
Patti LuPone	...	The Old Lady
Patty Goble	...	Sheep
Stanford Olsen	...	Vanderdendur / Prince Ragotski
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Marin Alsop	...	New York Philharmonic Guest Conductor
Julliard Undergraduate Workshop	...	Chorus
Westminster Symphonic Choir	...	Chorus

Runtime:

USA:150 min | USA:120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts - Columbus Avenue & 61st Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: At the beginning of Act II, the chorus holds up cards intended to spell the name of the current locale, the city of Montevideo. What they hold up, however, is "Montivedo". Where is the dictionary, now that they need one?

Quotes:

[Candide is trying to explain to an old man, who is Dr. Pangloss, who they are]
Candide: But Dr. Pangloss, we but your own Candide, and Cunegonde, and Paquette, and Maximillion and...Patti LuPone!

Movie Connections:

Version of Candide ou l'optimisme au XXe siècle (1960)

Soundtrack:

Glitter and Be Gay

a silly, fun, uplifting,tongue-in-cheek production...

...that was just pure perfection for me as a viewer. Knowing the opera and where the plot takes us and where the story will end up becomes secondary as you get caught up watching this familiar story being performed with such giddy glee, that you cannot help but be caught unawares. You begin to notice that you are watching with a look of silly wonderment on your own face. It is such a truly enjoyable production that even as I sit typing this I find myself wearing a silly grin just thinking of it. This was wonderfully well done and very accessible for those who do not believe Opera to be "their thing." More than worth it to check this out if you happen to see it on your local PBS station. I do not believe anyone would be unhappy if they did. Great casting. Great performances. The performers looked like they were having a blast up there and that came right through the TV screen and into my living room. I recommend this highly to anyone who may not be sure about Opera and wants a fun and less pained way of being introduced.