I originally decided to see Skylight Music Theatre’s Candide – at least primarily – for the puppets. I wrote about director and scenic/puppet designer James Ortiz for the October issue of Milwaukee Magazine, specifically about his puppet design for the show, and I wasn’t about to miss a 10-foot-tall puppet designed by the same man who created the Milky White cow puppet for Broadway’s most recent revival of Into the Woods.
But this production is so much more than puppets.
When I walked into the Cabot Theater, the backdrop that acted as a curtain before the show and during intermission was stunning. The brightly colored burst with an animation of Voltaire’s eyes peeking out of the corner grabbed my attention before the show even began.
And when the curtain rose, I knew it was going to be something special to behold.
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Candide (Sam Simahk) sits in his bubble of optimism, taking his teacher’s words as sacred, believing the world is good and just and fair. What could go wrong? Then he falls in love with Cunegonde (Susie Robinson), and her parents forbid them to be together, so he is cast off into the world. He bobbles through war, the ocean, a casino and more. With each step of the journey, we see his innocence waver and the horrors of the world unfold before his eyes.
As a not-quite 24-year-old myself, I couldn’t help but think of the last five or so years of my life as I watched the show. I related to the way Candide thought all you have to do is be good and honest and life will treat you well. You think love and life are simple … and they’re not. There was a time when I didn’t know that, just like Candide. It’s a harsh realization, and one that the show reminds us of – it takes us all out of that bubble that we try to go back to and makes us stare reality directly in the face.
The show is a wonder of colorful moving parts, from larger-than-life puppets to the use of simple props in creative ways. The costumes, set, props, puppets and every other piece fit together like a puzzle. It was aesthetically pleasing, and every piece felt intentional. I particularly loved the banker puppet, which had a wiggling mustache and heaps of money falling out of his pockets, and a scene when a single rope is used to simulate a boat rocking in the sea. And of course, the king puppets on the bus were hilarious and fun. That’s a theme throughout – the show is fun to watch. I was often thinking to myself, “What will we see next?” And it didn’t disappoint.
The talent both on and off stage in this production was outstanding. The Old Woman (Sara Stern) had the audience in an uproar of laughter and admiration, both as she shared her life’s story and as she wooed a bunch of mechanics in “I Am Easily Assimilated.” So did Vanderdendur (Nathan Marinan) as he sang one of the show’s most absurd and enjoyable songs, “Bon Voyage,” and filled the room with his powerful voice and big personality.
I’d be remiss to not mention Robinson’s powerful solo, during which Cunegonde reckons with her fate from a heart-shaped pillow, pawing at diamonds in “Glitter and Be Gay.” And in the final song of the show, “Make Our Garden Grow,” the full cast of 12 sang together. It created waves, hitting home just how talented these singers are and leaving me in awe as I left the theater.
It’s safe to say that Voltaire’s words are still as relevant as ever – and Ortiz’s twist on the classic tale was original, whimsical and dreamlike. It sweeps the audience up into Candide’s world and invites them to think deeply, use their imaginations and simply enjoy every moment.
Candide runs through Oct. 29 at Skylight Music Theatre.
