Having premiered one year prior to West Side Story, Candide remains somewhat overshadowed when one looks at Bernstein’s repertoire. This charming Operetta, however, should not be overlooked. Originally critiqued as being rough around the edges back in 1956, Candide evolved over the years and had a major rework back in 1974, which included a new book/libretto. Candide since has become a staple modern operetta for opera companies and musical theaters around the world. The 2004 Avery Fisher Hall concert tells the classic story in a way that is inviting to the wide range of modern audiences.

Kristen Chenoweth is cast as Cunegonde freshly off her hugely successful performance as Glinda in Wicked in 2003. Opera singer Paul Groves is cast as Candide. And the legendary Patti LuPone plays the role of The Old Woman. In 2004 Chenoweth was mostly famous for her high-pitched musical theatre voice and minor television roles. Her background education in opera is showcased as Cunegonde in this festive production. Her first proper duet with Candide is Oh Happy We, where she fantasizes a long happy life with him. This song is a good example of the rolling, melodious phrases that remain a centerpiece of this operetta.

Later on in the first act, we are met with perhaps the most famous piece from this operetta, and a personal favorite of mine, “Glitter and be Gay.” The pure vocal power it takes to execute this aria oftentimes overpowers and deafens the actual humor of the scene. Kristen has no problem with the humor, naturally, while maintaining a strong operatic presence. Kristen breaks the ice in the first line of the song, and she has the crowd rolling in laughter,

“Glitter and be gay, that’s the part I play.
Here I am in Paris, Fraaaaaaaaance…”

Near the end of the aria, after going into fit of madness from her life of luxury, she belts out an impressive sustained high Eb (above high C), which, for me was surprising, as I was not familiar with Chenoweth’s background in Opera. To get the full experience, please see the video I linked at the bottom of the post.

Speaking of humor and divas, Act 2’s We Are Women is a sassy duet between LuPone and Chenoweth. It was a later addition (1989) to the operetta’s score and is sure to deliver a few good laughs. This duet shows off Candide’s “Timelessness,” or rather, its ability to stay current and modern in the hands of a good director. This production is definitely the most Musical Theater version I’ve heard, and despite LuPone and Chenoweth not having an operatic resume, the concert functions quite well as a Musical/Operetta hybrid.

The finale Make Our Garden Grow is the ultimate cherry on top of an absolutely delicious musical. “Garden” is a masterpiece level song and helps solidify Bernstein as one of America’s finest composers. With a simple and heartfelt melody, its hard to not get chills when the choir comes in acapella near the end:

“We’ll build our house and chop our wood,
And make our garden grow”

In summation, in a successful attempt to broaden its audience, Lonny Price’s Candide brings in Musical Theater heavy hitters Chenoweth and LuPone, as well as Opera veterans like Paul Groves, to create a lively, modern, and well adapted presentation. It’s very delightful to see the show withstand the test of time over the years, and despite some of the deviations from more traditional Opera, the cast and musicians are able to capture the beauty, humor, and charm of this Bernstein classic.

And, because once is not enough, here’s Kristen Chenoweth singing Glitter and Be Gay. It’s worth pointing out the athleticism involved with singing this Bernstein aria wearing heels while simultaneously dancing, sitting, laying down, jumping up and down, and using a giant pearl necklace as a lasso, for 7 minutes straight: