The 2024–25 Centennial Series by the Curtis Opera Theatre will culminate in a performance of Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide.”

This production is scheduled to take place at the Forrest Theatre on April 11 and 13, 2025.

Emma Griffin will direct the operetta, with David Charles Abell serving as the conductor.

In Griffin’s vision, the operetta’s storyline unfolds within a spacious setting that echoes the style of an old Marx Brothers production—blending a contemporary visual flair with the vaudeville-inspired “Borscht Belt” humor that shaped the piece back in the 1950s.

Leading the cast are tenor Landry Allen, portraying Candide, and soprano Emilie Kealani, taking on the role of Cunegonde. Baritone Emilio Vásquez will play Pangloss, Candide’s tutor, while baritone Nathan Schludecker will embody Maximilian. Mezzo-soprano Katie Trigg will appear as the Old Lady, and soprano Emily Damasco will perform as Paquette.

Completing the ensemble are Evan Gray, Juliet Rand, Hongrui Ren, Robert Frazier, Ross Macatangay, Jackson Allen, Yulin Yan, Sam Higgins, and Shikta Mukherjee.

This rendition of “Candide” promises to deliver Bernstein’s sharp satire and vibrant score with a fresh perspective, highlighting the talents of Curtis Opera Theatre’s emerging artists. Tickets for the performances will go on sale in early 2025, offering audiences a chance to experience this inventive take on a classic. The production not only celebrates the centennial milestone but also pays homage to the enduring wit and musical brilliance of Bernstein’s work, bridging the gap between its mid-20th-century origins and today’s theatrical landscape.