Passion
Where to Watch
Not officially available.
Stage Production Notes
With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by James Lapine, Passion is a musical which tells the story of a doomed love triangle between a soldier, Giorgio, his commanding officer’s cousin, Fosca, and a married woman, Clara. The musical is based on Ettore Scola’s film Passione D’Amore, which was adapted from the mid-19th century novel Fosca by Iginio Ugo Tarchetti.
Following 52 previews, Passion opened on Broadway at the Plymouth Theatre on May 9, 1994. The Broadway production was directed by James Lapine, and starred Donna Murphy as Fosca, Jere Shea as Giorgio, and Marin Mazzie as Clara.
Passion won 4 Tony Awards, including Best Musical (reportedly, Passion is the shortest running musical to have won the award), Best Actress in a Musical (Donna Murphy), Best Original Score (Stephen Sondheim), and Best Book of a Musical (James Lapine).
Passion played 280 regular performances before closing on January 7, 1995.
After Passion closed on Broadway, American Playhouse taped the production over three days at the Plymouth Theatre. Following nearly two years of negotiations, the made-for-tv version aired on PBS on September 8, 2001. Another two years later, on June 10, 2003, Image Entertainment released the made-for-tv version on VHS and DVD (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from this link).
A re-worked version of Passion opened on the West End at the Queen’s Theatre on March 26, 1996. Directed by Jeremy Sams, the production starred Maria Friedman as Fosca, Helen Hobson as Clara, and Michael Ball as Giorgio. A concert version featuring the West End cast was recorded and released on CD.
The Kennedy Center staged a new production in 2002 starring Judy Kuhn as Fosca, Rebecca Luker as Clara, and Michael Ceveris as Giorgio.
In 2003, Lincoln Center staged a limited-engagement concert version of Passion. Directed by Lonny Price and starring Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, and Michael Ceveris, the production was broadcast live on Live from Lincoln Center (see Filmed Production Notes below).
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Broadway production, a special one-night-only performance was held on October 20, 2004 at the Ambassador Theatre. The performance was also a benefit for Friends in Deed. Donna Murphy and Marin Mazzie reprised their original roles, and Michael Cerveris played Giorgio.
Passion was revived in London at the Donmar Warehouse in 2010.
Under the direction of John Doyle, the Classic Stage Company mounted an off-Broadway production of Passion in 2013. The production featured Rebecca Luker as Clara, Judy Kuhn as Fosca, and Ryan Silverman as Giorgio. A critically praised cast recording was released in 2013.
Not officially available.
Stage Production Notes
With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by James Lapine, Passion is a musical which tells the story of a doomed love triangle between a soldier, Giorgio, his commanding officer’s cousin, Fosca, and a married woman, Clara. The musical is based on Ettore Scola’s film Passione D’Amore, which was adapted from the mid-19th century novel Fosca by Iginio Ugo Tarchetti.
Following 52 previews, Passion opened on Broadway at the Plymouth Theatre on May 9, 1994. The Broadway production was directed by James Lapine, and starred Donna Murphy as Fosca, Jere Shea as Giorgio, and Marin Mazzie as Clara.
Passion won 4 Tony Awards, including Best Musical (reportedly, Passion is the shortest running musical to have won the award), Best Actress in a Musical (Donna Murphy), Best Original Score (Stephen Sondheim), and Best Book of a Musical (James Lapine).
Passion played 280 regular performances before closing on January 7, 1995.
After Passion closed on Broadway, American Playhouse taped the production over three days at the Plymouth Theatre. Following nearly two years of negotiations, the made-for-tv version aired on PBS on September 8, 2001. Another two years later, on June 10, 2003, Image Entertainment released the made-for-tv version on VHS and DVD (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from this link).
A re-worked version of Passion opened on the West End at the Queen’s Theatre on March 26, 1996. Directed by Jeremy Sams, the production starred Maria Friedman as Fosca, Helen Hobson as Clara, and Michael Ball as Giorgio. A concert version featuring the West End cast was recorded and released on CD.
The Kennedy Center staged a new production in 2002 starring Judy Kuhn as Fosca, Rebecca Luker as Clara, and Michael Ceveris as Giorgio.
In 2003, Lincoln Center staged a limited-engagement concert version of Passion. Directed by Lonny Price and starring Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, and Michael Ceveris, the production was broadcast live on Live from Lincoln Center (see Filmed Production Notes below).
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Broadway production, a special one-night-only performance was held on October 20, 2004 at the Ambassador Theatre. The performance was also a benefit for Friends in Deed. Donna Murphy and Marin Mazzie reprised their original roles, and Michael Cerveris played Giorgio.
Passion was revived in London at the Donmar Warehouse in 2010.
Under the direction of John Doyle, the Classic Stage Company mounted an off-Broadway production of Passion in 2013. The production featured Rebecca Luker as Clara, Judy Kuhn as Fosca, and Ryan Silverman as Giorgio. A critically praised cast recording was released in 2013.
Filmed Production Notes
In August 2003, Lonny Price directed a pared-down “semi-staged concert” production of Passion for the Ravinia Festival in Chicago. The acclaimed production starred Patti LuPone as Fosca, Michael Ceveris as Giorgio, and Audra McDonald as Clara.
As part of its American Songbook series, Lincoln Center re-staged the Ravinia production for a limited engagement commencing March 30, 2005 in the Rose Theatre. The production featured a 56-piece orchestra.
PBS’ Live from Lincoln Center broadcast Passion on American television on March 31, 2005. The program was hosted Lesley Stahl, and featured interviews with Stephen Sondheim and leading cast members.
The live broadcast was awarded the 2005 Emmy for Outstanding Special Class Program.
Passion is currently not officially available to view.
In August 2003, Lonny Price directed a pared-down “semi-staged concert” production of Passion for the Ravinia Festival in Chicago. The acclaimed production starred Patti LuPone as Fosca, Michael Ceveris as Giorgio, and Audra McDonald as Clara.
As part of its American Songbook series, Lincoln Center re-staged the Ravinia production for a limited engagement commencing March 30, 2005 in the Rose Theatre. The production featured a 56-piece orchestra.
PBS’ Live from Lincoln Center broadcast Passion on American television on March 31, 2005. The program was hosted Lesley Stahl, and featured interviews with Stephen Sondheim and leading cast members.
The live broadcast was awarded the 2005 Emmy for Outstanding Special Class Program.
Passion is currently not officially available to view.
Passion PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Rose Theatre, Lincoln Center, NYC
Producer: Live from Lincoln Center, PBS, Marc Bauman, John Goberman
Book: James Lapine
Music: Stephen Sondheim
Director: Lonny Price (stage and film)
Musical Director: Paul Gemignani
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Choreography: Marla Lampert
Scenic Design: James Noone
Costume Design: Gail Brassard
Lighting Design: Alan Adelman
Sound Design: Tom Clark
Stage Manager: Jeffrey M. Markowitz
Cast:
Patti LuPone (Fosca), Audra McDonald (Clara), Michael Cerveris (Giorgio), Allen Fitzpatrick (Col. Ricci), Richard Easton (Doctor. Tambourri), Alexander Gemignani (Lieutenant Torasso), Timothy Gulan (Sergeant Lombardi), Devin Richards (Lieutenant Barri), James Clow (Major Rizzolli), John Sloman (Lieutenant Augenti), Gina Ferrall (Fosca’s Mother), John Cunningham (Fosca’s Father), George Dvorsky (Ludovic), Kate Baldwin (Mistress), Trey Compton (Male Attendant), Jono Hustis (Male Attendant), Jenn Dottino (Female Attendant), Abby Stevens (Female Attendant), Joshua Johnston (Mail Boy)
Theatre: Rose Theatre, Lincoln Center, NYC
Producer: Live from Lincoln Center, PBS, Marc Bauman, John Goberman
Book: James Lapine
Music: Stephen Sondheim
Director: Lonny Price (stage and film)
Musical Director: Paul Gemignani
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Choreography: Marla Lampert
Scenic Design: James Noone
Costume Design: Gail Brassard
Lighting Design: Alan Adelman
Sound Design: Tom Clark
Stage Manager: Jeffrey M. Markowitz
Cast:
Patti LuPone (Fosca), Audra McDonald (Clara), Michael Cerveris (Giorgio), Allen Fitzpatrick (Col. Ricci), Richard Easton (Doctor. Tambourri), Alexander Gemignani (Lieutenant Torasso), Timothy Gulan (Sergeant Lombardi), Devin Richards (Lieutenant Barri), James Clow (Major Rizzolli), John Sloman (Lieutenant Augenti), Gina Ferrall (Fosca’s Mother), John Cunningham (Fosca’s Father), George Dvorsky (Ludovic), Kate Baldwin (Mistress), Trey Compton (Male Attendant), Jono Hustis (Male Attendant), Jenn Dottino (Female Attendant), Abby Stevens (Female Attendant), Joshua Johnston (Mail Boy)
Sources
Articles
Websites
- David Clarke, “PASSION (2013 New York Cast Recording) is Stunningly Lavish and Ornately Elegant,” Houston Press (July 3, 2013)
- Andrew Gans, “Complete Casting Announced for Kennedy Center's Passion,” Playbill (July 10, 2002)
- Andrew Gans, “So Much Happiness: LuPone, McDonald and Cerveris Star in Passion,” Playbill (Aug 21, 2003)
- Andrew Gans, “PBS to Broadcast LuPone-McDonald-Cerveris Passion in March 2005,” Playbill (Dec 13, 2004)
- Andrew Gans, “Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's PassionPresented March 30-April 1,” Playbill (March 30, 2005)
- Associated Press, “LuPone's 'Passion' heads to N.Y.” Los Angeles Times (Jan 4, 2005)
- Ernio Hernandez, “Stephen Sondheim's Passion Set for DVD/VHS Release, June 10,” Playbill (April 3, 2003)
- Charles Isherwood, “Sondheim on Romantic Love: A Consolation and a Curse,” NY Times (April 1, 2005)
- David Rooney, “Passion,” Variety (March 31, 2005)
- Ted Shen, “Passion,” Chicago Reader (Aug 21, 2003)
- Uncredited, “"Passion" to Air on PBS's “Playhouse"” Backstage (Feb 21, 2001)
Websites
- Internet Broadway Database, “Passion,” Accessed via: https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/passion-4606
- Internet Broadway Database, “Passion: The tenth anniversary concert performance,” Accessed via: https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/passion-390386
- Playbill, “Playbill Poll Results: Your Reviews of PBS Passion,” Accessed via: http://www.playbill.com/article/playbill-poll-results-your-reviews-of-pbs-passion-com-68333
- Television Academy, “Stephen Sondheim's "Passion' (Live From Lincoln Center),” Accessed via: http://www.emmys.com/shows/stephen-sondheims-passion-live-lincoln-center
- About Maria: The Maria Friedman Website, “Passion,” Accessed via: http://www.aboutmaria.com/passion.html#8
Written by Luisa Lyons (March, 2018)