PASSION

Area Premiere

March 12 – April 4, 2000 – Loring Playhouse

Music and Lyrics – Stephen Sondheim
Book – James Lapine
Based on the film Passione d’Amore by – Ettore Scola
Based on the novel Fosca by – Igino Tarchetti

“Ravishing to behold…” cries the New York Times.  Rarely does a musical of such powerful emotion come to the stage, and now is your chance to see the area premiere of Passion, Stephen Sondheim’s musical masterpiece.  This is a love story as only Sondheim can tell it.  Set to a lushly romantic score, Passion tells the story of a young soldier caught between the woman he thinks he loves and the woman whose love ultimately changes him forever.  Through soaring melodies that penetrate the heart, Passion illuminates the ability of love to transform us all.

Director – Steven Meerdink
Musical Director – Kevin Hansen

Set Construction – Keith Welle
Costume Designer – Shannon Lee
Stage Manager – Joyce Norman

Cast
Fosca – Jennifer Santoro
Giorgio – Todd Liljenquist
Doctor Tambourri – Craig Johnson
Fosca’s Mother / Attendant – Robbie Mancina
Ludovic / Private Augenti – Wesley DuVall Webb
Colonel Ricci – Marlin Rothe
Major Rizzolli – Ryan Quale
Mistress / Attendant – Megan Lind
Clara – Katharine Nelson
Fosca’s Father / Sergeant Lombardi – Eric Johnson
Lieutenant Barri – Tom Ellis
Lietenant Torasso – Steven Todd Schmidt

Musicians
Reid Hegland (Bass)
Amy Hoelmer (Keyboard 1)
Chris Houston (Keyboard 2)
Tony Schiefert (Percussion)

“A Passion that left one…satisfied and with one’s interest freshly piqued in a work that some call Sondheim’s most inaccessible…a palpable energy and dedication.  In particular, one should mention Todd Liljenquist, who, despite his youth, gave a poignant rendering of Giorgio, and Jennifer Santoro’s excellent performance as Fosca.  Santoro conveyed Fosca’s struggle with an impressive sensitivity and grace.” – The Sondheim Review