Scott Bakula will make his Los Angeles Opera debut this fall in Leonard Bernstein's "Candide" opposite Patti LuPone.

EXCLUSIVE: Scott Bakula is taking a leap, quantum or otherwise, into a concert that may surprise his TV fans: The NCIS: New Orleans star will make his Los Angeles Opera debut this fall in a production of Leonard Bernstein's Candide, which also stars Patti LuPone, the three-time Broadway powerhouse and Tony winner. The production by Francesca Zambello […]

EXCLUSIVE: Scott Bakula is making the leap, quantum or otherwise, to a gig that may come as a surprise to his TV fans: The NCIS: New Orleans star will make his Los Angeles operatic debut this fall in a production of Leonard Bernstein's Candide, also starring Broadway's triple Tony winner Patty Powers.

Francesca Zambello's production will return to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for six performances from November 21 to December 13, conducted by Los Angeles Opera conductor Lina Gonzalez-Granados and also starring tenor Duke Kim in the title role and soprano Megan Picerno as Kongund. RELATED STORIES Scott Bakula Cast To Head CBS Detective Drama From Electric Entertainment News Dean Devlin Patti LuPone To Portray Vogue Editor Diana Vreeland In Off-Broadway Solo Play 'Full Gallop'

Bakula will play the dual role of Voltaire and Dr. Panglas, and LuPone will reprise the role of the old lady in 2004. Watch on Deadline

"Scott Bakula is a consummate performer whose extraordinary career has moved effortlessly between theater, television, film and music," said Los Angeles Opera President and CEO Christopher Kolesch. Her wit, warmth and musicality make her a perfect candidate, and we are delighted to welcome her to LA Opera.

Best known for his television roles in Quantum Leap, NCIS: New Orleans, Star Trek: Enterprise and Men of a Certain Age, Bakula began his career on stage and appeared in three Broadway musicals. He made his Broadway debut in 1983 playing Joe DiMaggio in the musical Merlin: An American Legend. In 1988, he received a Tony Award nomination for his role in Romance/Romance.

Most recently, she starred opposite Ariana DeBose in Classic Stage Company's 2025 Off Broadway production of The Baker's Wife. Other stage credits include Off Broadway's The Connector and regional productions of Man of Lamancha and Mr. Lincoln in 2024 at the Ford Theatre. He also starred in Guys and Dolls at the Hollywood Bowl, Shenandoah at Ford's Theatre, and the acclaimed 1985 Off Broadway and Los Angeles productions of 3 Guys Naked from the Waist Down.

His Candide character Voltaire is the author of the 1759 comic novel that inspired the musical, while Dr. Pangloss is Candide's relentlessly optimistic teacher who insists that we live in "the best possible worlds" despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

Bakula will next be seen alongside Michelle Monaghan as coach Brody Hansen in the upcoming Netflix series The Sticks, which is set to premiere in 2027.

Bernstein's Candide is a comic opera-Broadway musical combination, with songs including "Glitter and Be Gay" and the latest "Make Our Garden Grow." The book is a musical by Hugh Wheeler, adapted from Voltaire's 1759 novel, and made into a new version by John Curd.

Director Francesca Zambello's production was first seen in 2018 at the Los Angeles Opera. James Nunn is the set designer with costumes by Jennifer Mueller. Choreography by Eric Sean Fogel and original lighting design by Mark McCullough, recreated by A.J. Goban Jeremy Frank is the director of the Los Angeles Opera Chorus.

There will be six performances at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on November 21st, November 29th, December 2nd, December 5th, December 10th and December 13th.

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