April 13, 2008

What The Candide Poster Said to Me Was “He’s back!!”

April 13th, 2008

By Jersey Boys Blog Special Correspondent Audrey Rockman

Photos courtesy of Audrey Rockman.

He isn’t back for long right now though, so you better get your own act together if you want to see Daniel Reichard on the New York City Opera stage in Leonard Bernstein’s Candide. He’s in a dozen more performances, wrapping up on April 20th.

An actor, almost by definition, is whatever you need him to be. This Candide character, by design, was all over the map ‘like a cockroach’… at times a Romeo, other times John Boy Walton and yet other times like the chivalrous character in “Urban Cowboy”. When he wasn’t a lover, he was a murderer. As in JB, a little patience is required in the opening minutes for Daniel to step into the spotlight amongst the 30 to 35 performers that were always on stage- outfitted in colorful, period attire.

Richard Kind, cast in the roles of Voltaire and Pangloss, had me enjoying the familiarity of the storytelling directed to the audience. Immediately recognizable from “Spin City”, I’ll always remember Kind’s character in “Mad About You” and in the Carol Burnett shows. Theatergoers know him from The Producers and other Broadway shows.

Although ten years after Daniel’s first time in the role of Candide at University of Michigan, he still looked like a (very) young, young, young man with a coif available only from a stage hairdresser. For those of you who will be attending, but are not familiar with operettas/ operas, fear not. The show is in English and many of the songs’ lines are projected above the stage- comforting, but fortunately not needed.

The two and a half hour show had a leisurely intermission- which I needed in order to recover from seeing Daniel come right into the audience as part of his character’s long personal journey. I like ‘up close and personal’, but this was more than I could have hoped for. I got to peruse the orchestra pit during the break, which only needed about 45-50 of their usual 70 members for this operetta. There was an enthusiastic and large crowd in the 2,700 seat theater.

Before the cast, crew, friends and associates gathered for a reception in the upper lobby after the show, the audience was again treated in Act II, to Candide and his leading lady, Lauren Worsham, venturing into the audience. Be sure that YOU are in the audience, too at Lincoln Center while there is still time to see Daniel and hear his beautiful tenor.

6 Comments »

  1. Audrey, another fantastic write up! So looking forward to seeing Daniel on stage again.

    Comment by Charly — April 13, 2008 @ 5:46 pm

  2. I agree Audrey. I just got back from the Sunday afternoon show and if was a lot of fun and Daniel was absolutely fabulous. My little 5 year old girl (Ella) and 7 year old son (Crist) loved the show too (fortunately the light-hearted way the show is presented made certain parts of the show fly way over their heads). We saw Daniel after the show and when he saw my kids he came over to them and gave them big hugs. That made their day (and mom’s and dad’s). If you are a fan of Daniel’s, you must go and see the show. “This is a basic rule.” You won’t be disappointed.

    Comment by David Cace — April 13, 2008 @ 5:57 pm

  3. Audrey,
    Thanks for this wonderful review! I am going this Sunday to the last performance. After reading this, you have made me look forward to going even more. I am not much of a fan of the opera, but Daniel is the reason I am going.

    Comment by Beverley Micciche — April 13, 2008 @ 7:03 pm

  4. Another wonderful write-up, Audrey. Wish I could see Daniel but am with my grandkids for the next two weeks. I am sure that we will be seeing much more of his amazing talent! IE

    Comment by Irene Eizen — April 13, 2008 @ 8:01 pm

  5. Thank you for the detailed review of Candide with our Daniel. I have enjoyed this music for many years and love the idea of up close and personal with audience members, particularly you! Unfortunately it is a bit of a “commute” for me, but love to live vicariously!

    Comment by Gayle Kamen-Weinstein — April 13, 2008 @ 9:33 pm

  6. Audrey, thanks for this insightful and amusing review. Wish I could be there to see the “be-wigged” Daniel and hear his voice again:)

    Comment by LuluThompson — April 13, 2008 @ 10:32 pm

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