AllMovie

Leonard Bernstein's musical adaptation of the classic Voltaire comedy gets an impressive new staging with a stellar cast in this made-for-television semi-staged adaptation. Paul Groves stars as Candide, the illegitimate son of Baron Thunder-Ten-Tronck (Michael McCormick), who has been taught by the idealistic Dr. Pangloss (Sir Thomas Allen) that "all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds." However, Candide is sent away from his home in Westphalia when the baron learns that Candide has become romantically involved with his daughter Cunegonde (Kristin Chenoweth), and it isn't long before his experiences wandering the world put his optimistic views to a severe test. Leonard Bernstein's Candide also features Patti LuPone as The Old Lady, with Marin Alsop leading the New York Philharmonic Orchestra; this recording of Lonny Price's acclaimed production was originally created for the PBS series Great Performances.