Who: Paul Appleby, Erin Morley, Patricia Racette, William Burden, John Lithgow, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Mansfield University Concert Choir, more
What: A One-Night-Only Benefit Concert in Celebration of the Bernstein Centennial
Where: Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage, 881 Seventh Ave. at 57th St., 212-247-7800
When: Wednesday, April 18, $47-$155 7:00
Why: In celebration of the centennial of the birth of Leonard Bernstein, Carnegie Hall is hosting a one-night-only benefit concert version of Candide, the Maestro’s 1956 musical adaptation of Voltaire’s 1759 satire. The operetta features the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and the Mansfield University Concert Choir, with Paul Appleby as Candide, Erin Morley as Cunegonde, Patricia Racette as the Old Lady, William Burden as the Governor, Ryan Silverman as Maximilian, Bryonha Marie Parham as Paquette, Glenn Seven Allen and Ross Benoliel as the Inquisitors, and John Lithgow, Voltaire and Dr. Pangloss. The cast also includes the vocal quartet of Christine DiGiallonardo, Andrea Jones-Sojola, David Scott Purdy, and Nathanial Stampley and ensemble dancers Paloma Garcia-Lee, Stephen Hanna, Akina Kitazawa, and Devin Roberts. The book is by Hugh Wheeler, with lyrics by Richard Wilbur and additional lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, John Latouche, Lillian Hellman (who wrote the original book), Dorothy Parker, and Bernstein; Bernstein also did the orchestrations with Hershy Kay, with additional orchestrations by John Mauceri. The production is directed by Gary Griffin, with musical direction by conductor Rob Fisher and choreography by Joshua Bergasse. Among the other upcoming “Leonard Bernstein at 100” programs are “Total Embrace” at St. Paul’s Chapel (Thursdays at 1:00 through June 2, free), “Notes from 108th Street” at the Broadway Presbyterian Church on April 19 at 6:00 ($100), the National Children’s Chorus of the United States of America presenting “Prism” at Zankel Hall on April 29 at 3:00 ($46-$89), and the Los Angeles Philharmonic performing “Chichester Psalms” at David Geffen Hall on April 29 at 3:00 ($60-$70).