Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...It's strange, frankly, to see a show where so much new truth is invested in the adaptation and so little flows out from the stage. The show is full of talented performers — the likes of Hollis Resnik (as the Old Lady) and Yando find a beginnings of a desirably sweet, tart center on occasion. But there is no consistent world nor fully believable vocabulary. Packard has a lovely voice but changes hardly at all. Thus Candide does not take his rightful place as our stand-in through life's painful journey."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...As she has done so many times in the past, Zimmerman (working with musical director Doug Peck, choreographer Daniel Pelzig and three genius designers: Daniel Ostling, Mara Blumenfeld and T.K. Gerckens) has found the most original and enchanting ways to turn difficult material into a seamless, continually ingenious work that sails through an audience's consciousness."
Daily Herald - Recommended
"...The end result is one that will no doubt enthrall literary scholars and fans of more intellectually introspective theater. But for audiences who just want unadulterated Broadway musical fun, Zimmerman's skilled effort to remake "Candide" in the contemplative style of her previous mythological stagings will probably divide and maybe even dissatisfy."
Chicago Reader - Recommended
"...Mary Zimmerman's new production for the Goodman Theatre isn't a total triumph, but it comes far closer to reaching El Dorado than any of the seven Candides I've encountered so far. Her adaptation draws substantially on Voltaire's book, fusing cutting comedy with philosophical gravity. She captures the wonderful simplicity of Voltaire's writing—which recounts the characters' atrocious sufferings with deadpan irony—and gives new clarity to the songs' witty lyrics."
Examiner - Somewhat Recommended
"...A mix of philosophical treatise, satire, opera, musical comedy and tragedy, the Goodman Theatre's staging of Candide is a sprawling extravaganza. It is as elaborate as the sky-high powdered pompadours sported by the 18th century nobles that figure in the impoverished Candide’s privileged upbringing. Visually, it is as fancy and fussy as a multi-tiered puff pastry or the golden velvet and paisley brocade gowns featured in Mara Blumenfeld’s sumptuous costume design.Through earthquakes, storms and genocide, the Goodman’s mighty financial resources are in full view in an extravagant parade of wonders. As for Leonard Bernstein’s intricate score, it is among his best, a thrilling composition that draws on the arias of Verdi, the fugues of Bach and the rhyming metered couplets of Moliere. But for all its gaudy deliciousness, Mary Zimmerman’s take on Voltaire’s work is a cold one."
Windy City Times - Recommended
"...Director/adapter Zimmerman is likewise no stranger to translating cumbersome literary epics to fluid sensory spectacle, her imagination this time shaping Voltaire's picaresque tale of an innocent youth's progress through a naughty world until it emerges as a carnival of panoramic imagery conveying all of the author's geographical fancies, but sacrificing none of his still-timely satirical observations. Most of these occur in another of scenic designer Daniel Ostling's wood-paneled vaults whose walls, floor and ceiling pop open to reveal the various stations in Candide's search for the perfect world promised by his teachers—a futile quest encompassing three continents, several seagoing voyages and companions rich and poor, honest and corrupt, lucky and ill-starred."
Copley News Service - Recommended
"... The highlights of the show reside in the musical production numbers, like Cunegonde’s send-up of extravagant coloratura singing in the famous “Glitter and be gay” number or a character known only as the Old Woman celebrating her accessible charms in “I am easily assimilated.” Black humor is nicely served in “Auto da fe,” a number sung by a chorus of well-born citizens about to enjoy the spectacle of heretics being burning at the stake (Voltaire is pretty hard on the church)."
Talkin Broadway - Recommended
"...Book writing of musicals is a difficult, much-maligned task, and a challenge Ms. Zimmerman ought not to take lightly. Throwing out an entire book (or two or three), that has been audience-tested, even if not completely successful, was a gutsy move. She might have better spent her energy and considerable talents in visualizing one of the versions already on paper and letting Peck and musicians and her marvelous cast all do what they do so well in the service of the piece. Candide closes with a narrator explaining that, in the garden to which the characters retire, each of them contributes according to their talents. It's a message from Voltaire Ms. Zimmerman might have done well to heed."
Centerstage - Recommended
"...Voltaire understood that the best way to get at the fundamental questions of life is to show just how absurd life is. The Goodman's production of Leonard Bernstein's musical adaptation of "Candide," helmed by director Mary Zimmerman, perfectly captures this spirit."
Chicago Stage Review - Recommended
"...Zimmerman is a master of spectacle. She could take a phone book and interpret a production that would resemble a Cirque du Soleil Big Top show. Backed by the plentiful resources of the Goodman Theatre, her lovely Candide is an exercise in opulence. The result is a stunning production that entertains and enchants on the surface but one that never fully engages past the tremendous theatrical trappings."
Time Out Chicago - Recommended
"...
Still, as delivered by an outstanding ensemble, Voltaire’s satire of religious and governmental institutions rings loud and clear. Packard makes a relatable, just-credulous-enough Candide, while Molina nails his beloved Cunégonde’s legendary aria “Glitter and Be Gay.” Considering backup from the likes of Yando, Resnik and Jonathan Weir, you’d be forgiven for thinking this the best of all possible casts."
ShowBizChicago - Highly Recommended
"...Unless you’re immune to the type of bitter humor found in “Candide,” Voltaire’s 18th-century satire adapted to the stage resonates alarmingly close to the modern audience. But sometimes it takes a little bit of shock and a whole lot of humor to recognize when history starts to repeat itself, and thankfully, we’re served a little reminder in the form of performing art. And that’s something to be optimistic about."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...Zimmerman’s Candide is fast-paced, clearly staged and most entertaining as the battle between pessimism and optimism is vividly staged by a expert cast being true to both Zimmerman and Bernstein’s vision of Voltaire’s biting satire. Mary Zimmerman sure has a handle on making classic texts come alive through her unique artistry. She makes troubled shows stage worthy; she makes musicals and operas into special stylized theatrical events. Her Candide is among her finest works of theatrical art. Don’t miss this remarkable thrilling phenomenon."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended
"...The musical was never one to touch the heart—this is, after all, a one-trick pony in which excessive optimism is reduced to the absurd over and over and over. But, like Brecht, sympathy can sometimes be irrelevant when a story requires more sense than sentiment. That’s why “Candide” works better as a musical than it ever did as a conte philosophique."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...What can one call “Candide”? It is not really a musical comedy! It is not an opera! It is a combination of both of these along with some great wit and charm as we learn about the negatives and positives of life and people. We also learn that all things happen for a reason and for the best, so we are told by Candide’s teacher Pangloss ( played by one of Chicago’s finest Larry Yando, among a few other roles he takes on). The entire cast with the exception of our two leads and “The Old Lady” ( a role that has been in the past a kind of throw-away, but in this version is a show stopping experience played by veteran show stopper Hollis Resnik- always a delight) take on many roles. Nineteen actors take on a multitude of roles and do so to perfection. Zimmerman uses the stage and the clever trap doors to keep this almost three hours moving quickly ( as quickly as three hours can go) and the clever choreography by Daniel Pelzig and the musical arrangements and orchestrations by Musical Director Doug Peck ( who once gain shows his amazing abilities) all make this a prodction that would make Broadway stand back and look!"
Chicago Theater Beat - Highly Recommended
"...The acting is solid with noteworthy performances from Packard, Yando and Hollis Resnik as the charming and crass Old Lady. Although some performers may fall short of their notes here and there, the singing is still remarkable, considering the amount of energy and endurance that this play requires. Stand out numbers include the hilarious “I Am Easily Assimilated” and the show closer “Make Our Garden Grow.”"
