Jackie Clune & James Dreyfus Join the Cast of Candide at London's Menier Chocolate Factory

Jackie Clune and Olivier Award winner James Dreyfus have boarded the previously announced cast for Candide, which begins performances at London's Menier Chocolate Factory on November 23. Directed by Matthew White and choreographed by Adam Cooper, Candide will play a limited engagement through February 22, 2014. Opening night is scheduled for December 2.

In addition to Clune, who will play the Old Lady, and Dreyfus, who will take on Dr. Pangloss, the cast of Candide features Fra Fee as Candide, Scarlett Strallen as Cunegonde, David Thaxton as Maximilian, Cassidy Janson as Paquette and Ben Lewis as Govenor and Vanderdendur. The musical's ensemble will also include Carly Anderson, Jeremy Batt, Christopher Jacobsen, Frankie Jenna, Rachel Spurrell, Helen Walsh and Matt Wilman.

The operetta tells the story of Candide’s journey of discovery, from Westphalia to the far reaches of the New World. Through anguish, happiness, loss and love, Candide is a whirlwind adventure that seeks to prove “life is happiness indeed.” The show features classic songs “Glitter and Be Gay” and “Make Our Garden Grow.”

Clune most recently played Violet in the national tour of the musical 9 to 5. Her other stage credits include Mamma Mia!, Billy Elliot and Mogadishu. Dreyfus won an Olivier Award for his performance as Russell Paxton in Lady in the Dark. His other stage credits include The Common Pursuit, Cabaret and The Producers. Dreyfus' screen credits include Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, The Thin Blue Line and Notting Hill.

Candide originally opened on Broadway in December 1956, starring Robert Rounseville as Candide and Barbara Cook as Cunegonde. It was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical.