By Melinda Calvert
The musical satire “Candide” starts off Kentwood Players’ fall season. It is very funny, very musical, and very satirical – with a fast moving plot.
The singing is impressive, and especially delightful is eight-year-old Fiona Okida, whose father, Roy, and mother, Colleen, are also in the play. She seems to like acting in adult theatre – and she is right in step with the best of them.
Voltaire, who authored the short novel “Candide,” was born in 1694 as Francois Marie Arouet, (he changed his name somewhere around 1718 when he wrote what was to become the very famous “Oedipus”). He was a bit of a rebel and spent a couple of stints in prison. He also set up with his mistress until her death and then moved in with his niece (also his mistress!!).
During this time, around 1755, an earthquake hit Lisbon, Portugal, in which thousands died. Voltaire was incredibly affected by this event and in 1759 wrote “Candide,” which proclaims “that all happens for the best in this best of all possible worlds.” It’s a sarcastic comment on optimism, and at the heart of both play and novella.
The story takes place in Westphalia, Lisbon, and Cadiz; and also Cartagena, Montevideo, El Dorado, and Constantinople. There is also a stint on a desert island that is interesting, for lack of a better word. There is a lot of traveling, many mishaps, and, again, loads of sarcasm.
Starring in the main roles (double casting) are Jonas Sills and Frank Weidner as Candide, Zoe Johnson and Francesca Sola as Cunegonde, Ben Lupejkis and Rocky Miller as Voltaire/Pangloss/Governor, and Patricia Butler and Susie McCarthy as the Old Lady. The cast is large and everyone plays more than one role – to perfection.
The music is by Leonard Bernstein, with the book adapted from Voltaire by Hugh Wheeler, and with lyrics by Richard Wilbur. The show is directed, and musically directed, by Catherine Rahm. Choreography is by Alison Mattiza, and the musical conductor is Chip Colvin.
Candide is on stage through Oct. 22 in the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue, Westchester. Performances, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets, $23, less $2 for seniors, students, and servicemen. (310) 645-5156, or go to kentwoodplayers.org. ER
