CANDIDE , based on Voltaire’s meandering, farcical epic of the same name, celebrates the 100th birthday of Leonard Bernstein, its composer, this year. The novel is considered by most to be a spoof of certain religious doctrines that espoused blind optimism despite never-ending catastrophes. GSU Opera Theater’s production is based on the 1989 version that Bernstein conducted at the Tanglewood Festival. CANDIDE had too many lyricists to list, but it was the original brainchild of top-shelf American dramatist Lillian Hellman. The story, an allegory about the wanderings of an optimistic young lad faced with overwhelming loss, is clearly extreme. Keep your eyes and your ears open; CANDIDE is a wild ride! Oh, and happy birthday Bernstein!