CANDIDE
Composed by: Leonard Bernstein
Book by: Hugh Wheeler, after Voltaire
Libretto by: Richard Wilbur, Stephen Sondheim, John La Touche, Lillian Hellman, Dorothy Parker and Leonard Bernstein.
Directed by: Michael Shell
Des Moines Metro Opera - 2019 | IU Opera - 2023 | Madison Opera 2024
Golden Trezzini Award for Architecture and Design - 2021 Honorable Mention
Conducted by: David Neely
Set by: Steven C. Kemp
Lighting by: Nate Wheatley
Costumes by: Linda Pisano
Make-Up + Hair by: Brittany Crinson
Choreography by: Todd Rhoades
“CANDIDE at Des Moines Metro Opera: A Beautiful Kaleidoscope That Makes the Best of all Possible Shows
Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) opened their most recent production of Candide on June 29. The brightly colored sets and costumes as well as the extremely talented cast truly make this the best of all possible productions.
The scenic design by Steven C. Kemp is crucial to making this production concept of a kaleidoscope work. The set became its own character in the show. The set starts with a bare stage with only a wooden floor seen as the audience enters. As the curtain rises on the show we see Westphalia illustrated with the color white. As we continue in the show to each location a new color is introduced to that location. What's unique is that as we continue to each location, something stays on stage. So something white stays on stage the full show as other pieces are brought on. Some pieces were large pieces, others were small, but each color was impactful and reminded you of what Candide has seen and learned on his journey. What surprises me the most is that I could still tell you some of the colors and what region of the world they represented. To me that speaks volumes to the set design
This production was one I could watch over and over again. Each moment of the show required the sets, costumes, and actors to be at their best. The final picture we see on stage, is a beautiful reminder of what our world can be. While we all have our own beliefs, when we come together, we make something beautiful.”
DC Felton
Broadway World
