Candide finale this weekend

Part sophisticated opera and part wacky screwball comedy with shades of Monty Python, this funny and irreverent satire is the perfect musical expression of Voltaire's novel, a tongue-in-cheek send-up of optimistic philosophies.

Final performances are February 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and February 15, at 2 p.m. All performances are in the Louis Armstrong Theatre, Performing Arts Center, on the Allendale Campus. The production, which has a PG-13 rating, runs a little under two hours, with one intermission.

Ticket pricing has been adjusted to offer two-for-one admission to faculty and staff for $12, and $6 two-for-one student admission. Single general admission tickets remain at $14. Tickets may be purchased at the Louis Armstrong Theatre Box Office, Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Tickets are also available through Startickets Plus, with a service fee, at www.starticketsplus.com, or by calling (616) 222-4000, or 800-585-3737.

"One aspect that makes Candide attractive to me is the richness of each element, from the brilliant music to the multi-dimensional humor and satire," said Grand Valley's Director of Opera Theatre Dale Schriemer. "It has a very fast pace yet allows the actors to connect on stage at a very personal level that becomes infectious to the audience."

The Grand Valley production of Candide is from the1973 Broadway Revival version, which is a hybrid of opera, theatre, musical theatre and literary elements. The legendary score by Leonard Bernstein will be performed by Grand Valley's Opera Theatre Orchestra, conducted by Kevin Tutt.