Posted January 28, 2009
Leonard Bernstein’s Candide slated to replace The Wiz
Stockbridge, MA – Berkshire Theatre Festival Artistic Director Kate Maguire has scheduled a production of Leonard Bernstein’s classic operetta Candide for this summer in the Unicorn Theatre. Based on Voltaire’s novella and featuring a book by Hugh Wheeler, Candide is the story of a young man’s journey of self-discovery as he tries to find his place in a world that appears to be growing increasingly hostile. Alternately funny and poignant, Candide features some of the most recognizable music in the American canon and has proven to be a crowd favorite.
Mrs. Maguire has embraced this change. “Now is the perfect time for Candide. It’s a glorious musical and it just seems perfect for the times. In a way, we’re all talking about wanting to ‘build a house and make our garden grow’”
Candide will be performed semi-staged by BTF’s Unicorn Company. In the past, the Unicorn Company has presented well-loved musicals such as The Who’s Tommy and Assassins.
Candide will perform from July 8 through August 15. Opening Night/Press Night will be Saturday, July 11. The performance schedule will be Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday through Saturday at 8pm, Wednesday at 7pm, with matinees on Thursdays at 2pm and Saturdays at 10am. Tickets range from $19.50 to $44. Single tickets are now available for purchase online at www.berkshiretheatre.org or by contacting the Festival Box Office at (413) 298-5576 ext. 33. Ticket prices range from $19.28 to $68.
Candide Lyrics and Music by Leonard Bernstein, Book by Hugh Wheeler, Based on the novella Candide by Voltaire. Directed by Ralph Petillo Previews: July 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Opening Night/Press Night: July 11 Closes: August 15
About Berkshire Theatre Festival
Founded in 1928, Berkshire Theatre Festival is one of the oldest professional regional theatres in the United States and the longest-running cultural organization in the Berkshires. Now under the helm of Artistic Director and CEO Kate Maguire, BTF presents theatre that matters—world premieres, contemporary works, and classics that speak to who we are in our world today. The Main Stage (408 seats), cataloged by the National Register of Historic Places, was originally designed and built by Stanford White as the Stockbridge Casino in 1888. The mission of BTF’s second stage, the intimate Unicorn Theatre (122 seats), is to provide a home for emerging artists and new theatrical ideas. BTF’s education program, BTF PLAYS!, reaches over 10,000 children annually through school residencies, touring performances, and summer performance training and writing programs. During the summer months BTF opens its doors to over 50 administrative, acting, and technical interns and apprentices. For more information about Berkshire Theatre Festival, please visit www.berkshiretheatre.org.
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