I haven't read Voltaire's version in 40 years, so I can't really say how the ending matches his work. But I agree with others here that for the Bernstein-Hellman-Wilbur version, it's just right. It's such an uneven show, and I've always found the 2nd act to get a bit tedious, and I love that they actually learn something from all their adventures, which would otherwise be pointless.
And it's so gorgeous, I wouldn't mind if it was the end of Billy Elliott or Two Gentlemen of Verona. I'm just grateful for its existence. |