New York City Opera’s production of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide has added four additional performances due to popular demand. It was originally scheduled for six performances beginning January 6, 2017, at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater.
Additional shows will be held January 13 at 7:30 PM, January 14 at 2 PM and 8 PM, and January 15 at 4 PM. Previously announced dates and times are January 6 at 7:30 PM, January 7 at 2 PM and 8 PM, January 8 at 4 PM, January 11 at 7:30 PM, and January 12 at 7:30 PM.
“I anticipate this production of Candide with great enthusiasm,” said Tony winner Harold Prince, who will direct. “We’ve made some changes and right now this material is as relevant as it could ever be. I expect the audience will connect with its message.”
As previously announced, the production will mark a notable New York City Opera debut with the role of the Old Lady. It will be played by Linda Lavin, the Tony Award-winning actor best known for playing the title role in the television series Alice.
Charles Prince will conduct the New York City Opera Orchestra, and Tony nominee Patricia Birch will choreograph.
The cast of Bernstein’s comic operetta also includes Tony Award nominee Gregg Edelman (City of Angels, Passion, Into the Woods) as Voltaire, Pangloss, Governor, Businessman, Police Chief, 2nd Gambler, and Wisest Man; Jay Armstrong Johnson (Sweeney Todd, On the Town; The Most Happy Fella) as Candide; Meghan Picerno (Don Giovanni, Die Zauberflöte, Hansel and Gretel) as Cunegonde; Keith Phares (The Barber of Seville, Les pêcheurs de perles, Mourning Becomes Electra, The Little Prince) as Maximilian; and Jessica Tyler Wright (War Horse, Sweeney Todd, Allegro, Candide) as Paquette.
Guest-starring as the various characters encountered by Candide are Chip Zien (Into the Woods) as Max’s Servant Hugo, Radu, Judge, Father Bernard, Rich Jew, and First Gambler; and Brooks Ashmanskas (Shuffle Along) as Pasha-Prefect, Baron, Grand Inquisitor, and Slave Driver.
The creative team also includes scenic designer Clarke Dunham, costume designer Judith Dolan, lighting designer Ken Billington, and sound designer Abe Jacob.
The Rose Theater is located at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in the Time Warner Center. For more information and tickets, call (212) 721-6500 or visit Jazz.org and NYCOpera.com.
(Updated December 8, 2016)
