A score by the legendary Leonard Bernstein is but the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Candide and its theatrical offerings. With a book from Hugh Wheeler and lyrical contributions from the incomparable Stephen Sondheim, Candide is a masterpiece for the ages.
Candide — the bastard cousin of Baron Thunder-Ten-Tonck — is expelled from home, dragged into the Bulgarian army, brought before the Spanish Inquisition, swindled out of a fortune, shipwrecked on a desert isle and separated time and again from his true love, Cunegonde. She, too, bears a barrage of misfortunes, including — but not limited to — into prostitution, forced marriage to an exorbitantly wealthy man and slavery. Through it all, however, they try remember the lessons of their dear master, Dr. Pangloss: "Everything is for the best in this best of all possible worlds."
