CANDIDE is Leonard Bernstein's masterpiece. Based on the play by Voltaire, the operetta-flavored score is simply delicious, full of great pieces including the showstopping aria "Glitter and Be Gay".
The 1997 Broadway revival succeded in introducing a whole new generation to the musical. It featured a cast including Jim Dale (BARNUM) as Dr Pangloss, Andrea Martin (GYPSY) as the Old Lady with One Buttock, Jason Danieley as Candide, Stacey Logan (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST) as Paquette and Harolyn Blackwell as Cungegonde.
Harolyn Blackwell indeed has a thrilling soprano voice, and sings the devilish 'jewel song' aria "Glitter and Be Gay" with confidence and panache, but I feel she over-plays the comedy and makes the song less stylish. Barbara Cook (on the original Broadway cast album) is still considered to be the definitive Cunegonde.
Andrea Martin spins gold with "I Am Easily-Assimilated", and Jim Dale is humorous and caustic in his performance. Jason Danieley has a lovely voice which he puts to good use in his choice numbers as Candide.
1. Overture
2. Life Is Happiness Indeed - Jim Dale/Jason Danieley/Harolyn Blackwell/Brent Barrett/Stacey Logan
3. Old Lady's False Entrance, The - Andrea Martin/Jim Dale/Ensemble
4. Best Of All Possible Worlds - Jim Dale/Jason Danieley/Harolyn Blackwell/Brent Barrett/Stacey Logan
5. Oh Happy We - Jason Danieley/Harolyn Blackwell
6. It Must Be So - Jason Danieley/Mal Z Lawrence/Jim Dale
7. Glitter And Be Gay - Harolyn Blackwell
8. Old Lady's Second False Entrance, The
9. Auto-Da-Fe - Arte Johnson/Mal Z Lawrence/David Girolmo/Harolyn Blackwell/Jim Dale
10. Candide's Lament - Jason Danieley
11. You Were Dead You Know - Jason Danieley, Harolyn Blackwell
12. I Am Easily Assimilated - Andrea Martin/Senores
13. Quartet Finale (to Act I) - Jason Danieley/Harolyn Blackwell/Andrea Martin/Jim Dale/Ensemble
14. Entr'acte
15. Ballad Of The New World - Jason Danieley/Ensemble
16. I Am Easily Assimilated (Reprise) - Orchestra/Jim Dale/Mal Z Lawrence/Brent Barrett
17. My Love - Jim Dale/Brent Barrett
18. Eldorado - Jim Dale/Sheep
19. Sheep Song - Nanne Puritz/D'Vorah Bailey/Seth Malkin/Stacey Logan/Ensemble/Jim Dale
20. Governor's Waltz, The - Jim Dale
21. Bon Voyage - Jim Dale/Ensemble
22. Quiet - Jason Daniely/Andrea Martin/Stacey Logan
23. What's The Use - Mal Z. Lawrence/Arte Johnson/Jim Dale/Ensemble
24. Make Our Garden Grow - Jason Danieley/Harolyn Blackwell
Candide
