Kristin Chenoweth Withdraws from London Production of Candide

Tony winner Kristin Chenoweth has cited overriding TV commitments as her reason for pulling out of the English National Opera's summer revival of Leonard Bernstein's Candide, which opens June 25 after a single preview on June 23.

Chenoweth's withdrawal is due to scheduling conflicts with her ABC series Pushing Daisies following the resolution of the Hollywood writers strike. The American soprano Anna Christy will step in as Cunegonde, Chenoweth's designated role, for most of the performances, having just made her U.K. opera debut in the title role of David Alden's production of Lucia di Lammermoor. Christy will sing the first six performances, with a replacement Cunegonde for the remainder of the run still to be cast.

The production, directed by Robert Carsen and choreographed by Rob Ashford, stars Beverley Klein, Toby Spence and Alex Jennings. It has previously been seen in both Milan and Paris with a different cast.

Candide opens on June 23 at the London Coliseum, where it will play for 13 performances only.