Actor Scott Bakula, known for his starring roles in “Quantum Leap,” “Star Trek: Enterprise” and “NCIS: New Orleans,” will make his LA Opera debut in a production of Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion next month, the company announced Thursday.
Bakula will portray both the French philosopher and writer Voltaire and Dr. Pangloss, the relentlessly optimistic tutor to the title character, in six performances scheduled from Nov. 21 through Dec. 13.
He joins a cast that includes three-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone as the Old Lady, tenor Duke Kim in the title role and soprano Meghan Picerno as Cunegonde.
“Scott Bakula is a consummate performer whose extraordinary career has moved effortlessly between theater, television, film and music,” said Christopher Koelsch, LA Opera’s president and CEO. “His wit, warmth and musicality make him an ideal fit for Candide, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to LA Opera.”
Bakula began his career in theater, making his Broadway debut in 1983 as Joe DiMaggio in “Marilyn: An American Fable.” He received a Tony Award nomination in 1988 for his starring role in the musical “Romance/Romance.”
He most recently appeared on the New York stage opposite Ariana DeBose in an Off-Broadway production of “The Baker’s Wife” and has performed in stage productions including “Man of La Mancha,” “Guys and Dolls” and “Three Guys Naked from the Waist Down.”
On television, Bakula won a Golden Globe Award and received four Emmy nominations for his portrayal of time-traveling physicist Sam Beckett in “Quantum Leap.”
He later portrayed Capt. Jonathan Archer in “Star Trek: Enterprise,” Special Agent Dwayne Pride in “NCIS: New Orleans” and Terry Elliott in “Men of a Certain Age.”
He also received an Emmy nomination for the HBO film “Behind the Candelabra” and appeared in films including “American Beauty” and “The Informant!”
LuPone, who has previously appeared with LA Opera in “Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny” and “The Ghosts of Versailles,” returns to the company as the Old Lady.
Kim previously performed with LA Opera in “Roméo et Juliette” and “West Side Story,” while Picerno, who appeared on Broadway as Christine Daaé in “The Phantom of the Opera,” will make her LA Opera debut.
Based on Voltaire’s 1759 satirical novel, “Candide” follows a young man whose optimistic worldview is challenged by war, natural disasters and other misfortunes as he travels in search of his beloved Cunegonde.
The work features music by Bernstein and a book by Hugh Wheeler, adapted from Voltaire’s novel in a new version by John Caird. Its musical numbers include “Glitter and Be Gay” and “Make Our Garden Grow.”
The production, directed by Francesca Zambello, was first presented by LA Opera in 2018 and will be conducted by resident conductor Lina González-Granados, leading the company’s orchestra and chorus.
Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21, Dec. 2, Dec. 5 and Dec. 10, and 2 p.m. Nov. 29 and Dec. 13.
The performances will take place at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., with a running time of approximately two hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission.
Additional information is available at LAOpera.org/Candide.