Ralph Petillo directs Candide, which runs July 7-Aug. 15 on the Unicorn Stage. Based on the Voltaire novel, the operetta has a score by Bernstein, a book by Hugh Wheeler and lyrics by Richard Wilbur with additional lyrics by Bernstein, John Latouche and Stephen Sondheim.
Julian Whitley will star in the title role with McCaela Donovan as Cunegonde, Ben Rosenblatt as Dr. Pangloss, Julia Broder as The Old Woman, Kyle Schaefer as Maximillian and Becky Webber as Paquette.
Completing the cast of Candide are Michael Brahce, Robert McFadyen, Samantha Richert, Matt Stern, Elizabeth Ard, Rachel Copel, Devin Doyle, Melissa Dvozenja, Arne Gjelten, Anna Koehler, Miles C. Rice, Stephen G. Rowland, Maximilian Schadler, Melanie Siegel and Jaclyn Walsh.
According to BTF, Candide "tells the story of a young man's journey of self-discovery as he tries to find his place in a world that appears to be growing increasingly hostile. Candide is a simple young man in love with the lovely Cunégonde who holds the firm belief that he resides in the 'Best of All Possible Worlds.' Once he and his love are separated, in order to reunite they must overcome a chain of bizarre situations."
The Berkshire Theatre Festival production has a design team including Erin E. Kiernan (scenic design), Jessica Risser-Milne (costume design), Jaime Davidson (lighting design) and Janie Bullard (sound design). The mainstage production of Neil Simon's The Prisoner of Second Avenue welcomes actress Denny Dillon (My One and Only) to the cast. Dillon replaces Cynthia Darlow.
Tony nominee Warner Shook directs Prisoner, which runs July 21-Aug. 8 and also includes the previously announced Stephen DeRosa (Hairspray, Walmartopia), Veanne Cox (Caroline, or Change, The Dinner Party), Alice Playten (Hello, Dolly!), Jeanne Paulsen (Faith Healer, Angels in America) and Julian Gamble (Democracy, The Invention of Love).
The Simon comedy "tells the story of Mel and Edna Edison, a middle-aged couple living in New York, who find their luck is quickly deteriorating during a terrible heat wave and a garbage strike. When Mel cracks under the pressure, his family intervenes in an attempt to nurse him back to his old self, with predictably unpredictable results," press notes state.
The Prisoner of Second Avenue will have designs by Scott Bradley (scenic design) Laurie Churba (costume design), Mary Louise Geiger (lighting design) and Scott Killian (sound design).
For tickets call the BTF box office at (413) 298-5576 or visit BerkshireTheatreFestival.
