Passion is an extraordinary musical that exposes romantic love as a life-affirming force that can also destroy us. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by long-time collaborator James Lapine, Passion tells the story of Giorgio, a young soldier having a love affair with beautiful, sensual and married Clara. Sent to a remote outpost, he becomes the obsession of Fosca, unattractive, brooding, and inappropriate. Giorgio experiences love in its full complexity, and his emotional awakening dooms him as it ennobles him.

Dark and disturbing adoration is familiar territory to fans of Sondheim's work, whose 50 year Broadway career is highlighted by hits Into the Woods, Company, Sunday in the Park with George, Sweeney Todd and A Little Night Music, which produced his biggest hit song, "Send in the Clowns." Sondheim's unique position in American musical theater is based on the complexity of his music and the depth of his lyrics and ideas. Rather than the usual easy romantic stories, Sondheim's mature and shaded work interlocks love, beauty, and obsession. Passion does not provide easy answers, but ambivalent explorations about the redemptive and destructive powers of love.

A Scholar's Perspective
Scott Proudfit examines how composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim and book writer James Lapine use powerful contrasts to achieve a work of emotional force.

The Cast
See who’s who among the actors, with their bios, headshots and resumes.

The Creative Team
See who’s who on the creative team—the director, designers and other artists who contribute to the creation of the world of the play.