Optimism! or Voltaire's Candide at Spooky Action Theater

Optimism! or Voltaire's Candide

Spooky Action Theater
1810 16th St NW Washington

Voltaire's masterpiece, adapted for the stage in rhymed couplets by playwright TJ Edwards, is an assault on society, religion, human nature, education, government and above all, optimism. Candide's journey is here enacted by nine actors playing over 70 roles in a madcap journey to discover just what it is that makes life worth living.

Thru - May 19, 2013

Thursdays: 8:00pm

Fridays: 8:00pm

Saturdays: 8:00pm

Sundays: 3:00pm

Price: $20 - $25

Show Type: Drama

Running Time: 2 hours, 35 minutes with 1 intermission

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Optimism! or Voltaire's Candide Reviews

Average Rating based on 4 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

Washington Post - Recommended

"...A few cast members wander in and mingle with the audience just minutes before "Optimism! or Voltaire's Candide" gets underway in Spooky Action Theater's high-energy and highly inventive staging. The actors' early entrance remains so low-key that many theatergoers will focus more on the jumbled pile of foot-high block letters stacked atop a platform in the middle of the performance space. (The enjoyably toy-like props and witty sets were designed by Deb Crerie and Giorgos Tsappas, respectively.)"

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- Jane Horwitz

Washington City Paper - Recommended

"...Given the minimalist feel that pervades the play-only a few simple props are featured, though that boat is pretty cool-it's surprising that Monalisa Arias' fight choreography is as realistic as it is. Especially considering the close quarters the actors and audience share, Candide's violent encounters have a palpable speed and danger. Satire's edge may be dulled over time, but blood is evergreen."

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- Chris Klimek

MD Theatre Guide - Highly Recommended

"...It wouldn't work without a top notch cast game for such action, and this production has one. Besides Jones, the only other character to play just one role is Patricia Lynn, whose Cunegonde has two personalities after she somehow turns from beauty to monster. Others in the diverse, able ensemble, each with their own highlighted moments include Adeoye, Rosemary Regan, Jessica Shearer, John Tweel, Ryan Tumulty, and Gregory Stuart in addition to Darnall (who may have the coolest credit in the bios: playing Omar's lover on HBO's "The Wire")."

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- Roger Catlin

DCTheatreScene - Highly Recommended

If wit is your thing, you’ll find buckets to spare in this thrilling, rambunctious new take on Voltaire. Spooky Action, while small, brings a grand scale of fun to the tale of the titular prodigal son with this freshly revamped (and now rhyming!) new version of poor Candide’s ill-fated global excursion.

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- Hunter Styles

Optimism! or Voltaire's Candide at Spooky Action Theater