My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Candide

Candide - 1956 Broadway History , Info & More

Emerson Colonial Theatre
106 Boylston St. Boston, MA 02116

Based on the novel Candide by Voltaire

El joven protagonista, Cándide, de bien expresivo nombre, practica un optimismo ciego guiado por su tutor, el Doctor Pangloss, que le asegura que todo es para bien en el mejor de los mundos posibles. Llevando a su bien sonante novia, Cunegunda, de la mano, y al referido Doctor Pangloss, Cándide viaja a Lisboa, París, Buenos Aires y hasta al mítico El Dorado, descubriendo a su paso la maldad, la bajeza, la envidia, el sufrimiento y hasta el crimen. Despojado de su idealismo, termina por recalar en Venecia acompañado por la inefable Cunegunda, y sus últimas palabras en la obra, consagrado a su jardín, proclaman: “Y antes de morir tratemos / de dar sentido a esta vida. / No somos sabios ni buenos: / hagámoslo lo mejor que sepamos"


Get Candide Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

WONDERFUL BERNSTEIN is Now Playing at Den Norske Opera
by Stephi Wild - Apr 16, 2026


Journey to New York during a swinging concert with music by the master of musicals: Leonard Bernstein with Wonderful Bernstein, a concert coming to Den Norske Opera.

LA Opera Unveils 2026/27 Season Lineup Featuring New Music Director Domingo Hindoyan
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 4, 2026


Christopher Koelsch, the Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco President and CEO of LA Opera, has announced details for the company's 2026/27 season, which will launch on October 17, 2026.

Did You Know These Broadway Revivals Started As Flops?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Jan 11, 2026


It wasn’t until later on in theatre history that revivals began including shows that weren’t initially well received or financially successful in their initial engagements. As musical theatre continued to evolve, and more shows entered the canon, a consensus began to grow about shows being worthy of additional exploration even if they hadn’t been hits the first time around. What about musicals that had been ahead of their time, musicals that had fallen prey to circumstances, early works by writers who became successful later on, and of course, shows that found an audience after closing via their cast recordings?

Tony Winner Dame Patricia Routledge Dies at 96
by Stephi Wild - Oct 3, 2025


BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Dame Katherine Patricia Routledge, English actress and singer, known for her work on stage and screen, has died at age 96.

Review: MY FAIR LADY at Union Avenue Opera
by Steve Callahan - Jul 10, 2025


Read our review of MY FAIR LADY, playing now at Union Avenue Opera through July 12. This beloved musical has everything going for it: absolutely captivating melodies by Frederick Lowe, lovely clever lyrics by Alan Lerner, and plenty still of the incomparable wit of that old master George Bernard Shaw, from whose play, Pygmalion, the musical is adapted.

Who Are the Most Tony-Nominated People of All Time?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - May 18, 2025


This time, the reader question was: Who Are the Most Tony-Nominated People of All Time? Audra McDonald now holds the record for the most-nominated performer, but do you know who has the most ever?

What is the History of Mexican Performers on Broadway?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - May 4, 2025


The terrific new musical Real Women Have Curves brings the story of a Mexican family to Broadway. Ana is a first-generation Mexican-American who dreams of becoming a journalist and must navigate being the only one with American citizenship in her family as she finds her own way in the world. Artists from Mexico have brought great and important work to the Broadway stage over the years.

Cape Ann Symphony Kicks Off 73rd Season This Month
by Stephi Wild - Sep 17, 2024


Cape Ann Symphony will kick off the 73rd season at 2:00 PM on September, 29 2024 with an Orchestral Spectacular featuring music from Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin and Ottorino Respighi.

CANDIDE is Now Playing at Den Norske Opera
by Stephi Wild - May 28, 2024


CANDIDE is Now Playing at Den Norske Opera. Performances run through 13 June 2024.

CANDIDE Comes to Den Norske Opera This Week
by Stephi Wild - May 23, 2024


Step into the Main Stage and have your mind blown! Glitter and be gay! Leonard Bernstein's Candide as a concert – complete with a full orchestra, opera chorus and opera soloists.

Games, Books, and Collectables Belonging to Stephen Sondheim Will Be Auctioned in June
by Nicole Rosky - May 23, 2024


Memorabilia includes his gold record for West Side Story, custom-embroidered asylum coat from Sweeney Todd and more, including antiques of the Victorian and Edwardian as well as early puzzles, games, rebuses, coin-operated machines and more.

Straz Center's Opera Tampa Announces 2025 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 19, 2024


Straz Center's Opera Tampa has announced its 2025 season featuring the work of Leonard Bernstein, Gaetano Donizetti and Giacomo Puccini.

Stephen Sondheim's Connecticut Home Sells for $3.25 Million
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 15, 2024


The home of late Broadway icon Stephen Sondheim, which BroadwayWorld previously reported was for sale, has sold for $3.25 million. Learn more!

Over 200 Lots of Stephen Sondheim Memorabilia to be Auctioned Off in June
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 11, 2024


 Doyle will be auctioning the Collection of Stephen Sondheim on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 10am. Learn more about the auction and about Stephen Sondheim.

Bernadette Peters & Lea Salonga Will Lead STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS in LA and on Broadway
by Joshua Wright - Apr 8, 2024


Center Theatre Group (CTG) announced the North American premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga, and directed by Sir Matthew Bourne, playing at the Ahmanson Theatre from February 8—March 9, 2025. 

CANDIDE Comes to Madison Opera Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Mar 26, 2024


Madison Opera will close its 23/24 mainstage season with its first production in over 30 years of Candide, Leonard Bernstein’s beloved American opera.  Based on Voltaire’s satirical novella, Candide mixes a dazzling score with comedy, tragedy, and impossible situations that result in a sublime whole.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 22, 2024
by - Mar 22, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 22, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Frank Farrell Productions to Present Walt Kelly's SONGS OF THE POGO at NYC Fringe
by Blair Ingenthron - Mar 2, 2024


Ben Masterton and Frank Farrell Productions will present Walt Kelly's Songs of the Pogo written by Walt Kelly and Norman Monath and directed by Frank Farrell.

Review: CANDIDE at Palais Theatre
by Josh Stent - Feb 11, 2024


What did our critic think of CANDIDE at Palais Theatre?

Stephen Sondheim's Manhattan Townhouse Sells To Fan For $7M
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 30, 2023


Stephen Sondheim's Manhattan home has been sold to a Sondheim fan!

How Often Do Broadway Flops Return as a Hit?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Nov 26, 2023


This time, the reader question was: With Merrily We Roll Along back on Broadway as a hit, how many musicals are flops in their original Broadway production and then return as smashes?

Stephen Sondheim's Connecticut Home Now For Sale
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 9, 2023


The Connecticut home of the legendary Stephen Sondheim is now for sale. See details about the home of the late Broadway icon.

Review: CANDIDE at Skylight Music Theatre
by Cathy Jakicic - Oct 14, 2023


Skylight Music Theatre's CANDIDE sublimely ridiculous and sublimely entertaining.

CANDIDE Comes to Skylight Music Theatre in October
by Stephi Wild - Sep 7, 2023


Skylight Music Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for the long-awaited production of Leonard Bernstein’s masterpiece, Candide. Learn more about the production, and who will star in it, here!

Photos/Video: Go Inside Stephen Sondheim's $7M Manhattan Townhouse
by Blair Ingenthron - Jul 11, 2023


Stephen Sondheim's Manhattan home is now for sale. The 7 bedroom, 3 bath townhouse in East Midtown has been listed by Michael J. Franco at Compass for $7M. 

Candide History

Other Productions of Candide

1956   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1958   US Tour Concert Tour
US Tour
1959   West End London Production
West End
1966   Regional (US) UCLA Production
Regional (US)
1968   Off-Broadway New York Concert
Off-Broadway
1971   US Tour National Tour
US Tour
1973   Off-Off-Broadway Off-Off-Broadway Revival
Off-Off-Broadway
1974   Broadway Broadway Transfer
Broadway
1982   Virginia Museum Theatre Production
1982   Off-Broadway New York City Opera Revival
Off-Broadway
1986   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
1988   West End London Revival
West End
1989   West End London Concert
West End
1997   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1999   West End Royal National Theatre Production
West End
2004   Off-Broadway New York Concert
Off-Broadway
2005   West End West End Concert
West End
2005   Off-Broadway New York City Opera Revival
Off-Broadway

Candide - 1956 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners are highlighted with a background.
Candide — awards and nominations
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1957 Tony Awards Best Conductor and Musical Director Samuel Krachmalnick
1957 Tony Awards Best Costume Design Irene Sharaff
1957 Tony Awards Best Musical Leonard Bernstein
1957 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical Irra Petina
1957 Tony Awards Best Scenic Design Oliver Smith

Videos


TICKET CENTRAL
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $77
Hot Show
Tickets From $70
Hot Show
Tickets From $59