Leonard Bernstein is one of the best 20th Century American composers (not to mention pianist and conductor,
as I learned last year). His
Candide is stunningly beautiful, but
based on Voltaire's 18th Century satirical novel, it's a bit... weird. Twin Cities vocal ensemble
VocalEssence and music-theater company
Theater Latte Da have combined to solve this little problem, and bring us all of the best of Berstein's
Candide. Director Peter Rothstein has a way of tweaking a piece just enough to bring out its purist truth, and he's done that here. With a short rehearsal time and just one weekend of performances of this "theatrical concert," he has staged it as a 1930s radio play, complete with sound effects. The result is something clever, charming, not too weighted down with plot complications, and musically stunning. Sadly
the entire run is sold out, but I heard a rumor that they're selling standing room only tickets at the door if you want to take a chance to see this charmingly rendered and musically delicious production of a classic.
