Louis Roney: Review of Orlando Philharmonic's 'Candide'

On Thursday, Oct. 13, in the Plaza Live Theater the Orlando Philharmonic Opera Series introduced their first production of the season, “Candide,” a comic operetta in two acts based on Voltaire’s satire of the same name and refurbished energetically by contemporary composer Leonard Bernstein.

The play’s main characters: Candide, Cunégonde, Maximilian, and Paquette, are taught by their tutor Dr. Pangloss that “all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds.”

 In a vain attempt to prove this jolly thesis, the story then proceeds through a worldwide romp from Westphalia, Lisbon, Paris, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, El Dorado, and Venice – and along the way encapsulates a plot of sorts which conclusively proves a negative. Poor Candide finds that the world is a series of chaotic catastrophes from being commandeered into the Bulgarian Army, being shipwrecked, surviving an earthquake, being captured by the Holy Inquisition, to escaping and being a wanted man for killing Cunégonde’s lovers.

However, finally, the lovers, Candide and Cunégonde, are reunited when Candide pays for her freedom with the last of his treasure from El Dorado. Disillusioned, but ever the Boy Scout, Candide then decides that the world is neither good nor bad, but pretty much what you make of it yourself.

I must say that this “romp” was quite a satisfactory one. With an orchestra of some 20 players on stage, the movement and choreography nevertheless were always exciting and always on the go.

Candide, as embodied by Miles Mykkanen, is a winningly sympathetic character with a golden tenor voice. Mykkanen sings with great beauty and sweetness – a pleasure to hear!

Sharleen Joynt as Cunégonde is a gal with stratospheric high notes – and in this role she demonstrates all of them. This fine singing actress made her interpretation of “Glitter and be Gay” something to remember!

Evan Jones, baritone, as Voltaire, Dr. Pangloss, and Cacambo, told the story, sang with gusto, and kept the evening kinetic.

Baritone Gabriel Preisser, doubling as the self-centered Maximilian and the grand inquisitor, is a consummate actor whose first-rate voice is triumphant.

Margaret Gawrysiak, as both old lady and the baroness, infused her moments with charming humor.

Alex Mansoori in the four roles of baron, governor, Vanderdendur and Ragotski deliver capably as required.

Samantha Barnes Daniels as Paquette sang affectingly.

All singers had good diction, but as yet, the Plaza Live Theater is not kind to singers, even when mic’d. Fortunately, even though the operetta was in English, the use of a subtitle machine was most helpful in this fast moving play.

Dancers Courtney Lopes and John Eirich kept thing interesting with their clever choreographed movements.

Maestro Eric Jacobsen and his troops delivered a delicious serving of beautiful music – an excellent evening all ‘round!