Goodman Theatre Extends CANDIDE Through 10/31

Due to high demand for tickets, Goodman Theatre extends Mary Zimmerman's much-anticipated revival of Leonard Bernstein's enduring masterpiece, Candide by one week. Performances now run September 17 - October 31, 2010.

In conjunction with Candide, Goodman Theatre also announces three special events: "Glitter and Be Gay" Night-including a pre-show reception, musical sneak peek and ticket to Candide-for the LGBT community and gay-friendly Chicago on September 24 (tickets are $75); an Artists Talk discussion with cast on September 29; and an evening of music performed by the cast at Petterino's (150 N Dearborn St) "Monday Night Live" on October 4. The cast of 19 remains intact for the extension week, including Geoff Packard in the title role; Lauren Molina as Cunegonde; Larry Yando as Pangloss; Hollis Resnik as the Old Lady; Jonathan Weir as the Governor; Erik Lochtefeld as Maximilian; Margo Seibert as Paquette; Jesse J. Perez as Cacambo; and Tom Aulino as Martin. Ensemble members include Spencer Curnutt, Rebecca Finnegan, Govind Kumar, Rob Lindley, Tracy Lynn Olivera, Emma Rosenthal, Thomas Adrian Simpson, Joey Stone, Tempe Thomas and Joe Tokarz. JP Morgan Chase & Co. is the Major Corporate Sponsor; ComEd is the Official Lighting Sponsor; Abbott and Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP are the Corporate Sponsor Partners. Chicago Tribune and WBEZ 91.5 FM are Media Sponsors.

Added performances of Candide include:

Tuesday, October 26 at 7:30pm
Wednesday, October 27 at 7:30pm
Thursday, October 28 at 7:30pm
Friday, October 29 at 8pm
Saturday, October 30 at 2pm and 8pm
Sunday, October 31 at 2pm (closing)

Candide chronicles, in lightning-fast progression, the story of a young man banished from his home, drafted into the Bulgarian army and forced to endure relentless disaster. Voltaire's satiric genius is found in Candide's earnest attempts to trivialize the tragedy and uphold the contention of his mentor, Dr. Pangloss, that all things happen for the best in this ‘best of all possible worlds'. Although Candide's journey is described with humor, Voltaire raises serious questions: How can mankind deal with disaster without surrendering to despair? Can optimism prevail in a world that frequently seems randomly cruel? How is survival itself possible in an environment that often gleefully refutes Pangloss's hopeful axiom?

Tickets to Candide are on sale now. Call 312.443.3800, click GoodmanTheatre.org or visit the box office (170 North Dearborn). Mezztix are half-price mezzanine tickets available at 12 noon at the box office, and at 10am online (promo code MEZZTIX) day of performance; Mezztix are not available by telephone. 10Tix are $10 mezzanine tickets for students available at 12 noon at the box office, and at 10am online on the day of performance; 10Tix are not available by telephone. Valid student I.D. must be presented when picking up the tickets. Limit four per student with I.D. All tickets are subject to availability and handling fees apply. Discounted Group Tickets for 10 persons or more are available at 312.443.3820.

Subscribe now to save up to 45% over single ticket prices: 312.443.3800 or ExploreTheGoodman.org. Five-play Albert Theatre subscriptions start at $100 and 3-play Owen Theatre subscriptions start at $57. A Platinum Subscription of all eight plays starts at $157.

Glitter and Be Gay
Friday, September 24
6 - 7:30pm: Pre-show Reception
8pm: Performance of Candide
Goodman Theatre

Join Music Director Doug Peck and cast members for a fabulous evening of cocktails and cuisine as he talks about his work on Candide-and delivers a musical sneak peek of Bernstein's legendary score! Then, see the most anticipated musical of the year, directed by Tony Award-winner Mary Zimmerman. Tickets are $75 (includes reception and performance) and can be purchased at GoodmanTheatre.org or at 312.443.3800.

Artists Talk
6 - 7pm | Wednesday, September 29
Goodman Theatre

Author and theater critic Jonathan Abarbanel engages Music Director Doug Peck and actors Lauren Molina (Cunegonde), Geoff Packard (Candide) and Hollis Resnik (the Old Lady) in a discussion about Candide and the creation of Mary Zimmerman's production. The Artists Talk series connects theater audiences with the artists who bring productions to life at the Goodman in conversations about their process in an intimate environment. Tickets are $10 ($5 for subscribers and students) and can be purchased at GoodmanTheatre.org or at 312.443.3800.

Monday Night Live
7:30pm |Monday, October 4
Petterino's (150 N Dearborn St)

The highly-acclaimed Monday Night Live series is presented every Monday evening at Petterino's (150 N Dearborn St), located in the heart of the theater district, and is co-hosted by Chicago's very own entertainment guru, Denise McGowan and cabaret artist and musician extraordinaire, Beckie Menzie. On Monday, October 4, Monday Night Live features cast members of Candide performing their own musical selections. A $15 minimum is required for a table at Monday Night Live. Reservations are strongly recommended; call Petterino's at 312-422-0150.

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