Natascia Diaz and Claybourne Elder to Star in Sondheim and Lapine's Passion

Natascia Diaz (Encores! Grand Hotel), Claybourne Elder (Sunday in the Park With George), and Steffanie Leigh (War Paint) are set to star in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical Passion. This new production will be directed by Signature Theatre's associate artistic director Matthew Gardiner. Passion will run August 14-September 23 in Signature Theatre's MAX Theatre.

Diaz, Elder, and Leigh will be joined in the cast by Will Gartshore as Colonel Ricci, Rayanne Gonzales as Mother, Gregory Maheu as Ludovic/Lombardi, Ian McEuen as Lieutenant Torasso, Christopher Mueller as Augenti, Katie Mariko Murray as Mistress, Lawrence Redmond as Lieutenant Barri, Bobby Smith as Major Rizzoli/Fosca's Father, and John Leslie Wolfe as Dr. Tambourri.

Set in 1860s Italy, Passion follows a live triangle ignited when Giorgio, a handsome army captain, is transferred to a remote military outpost and into the blinding infatuation of Fosca, the ailing cousin of his superior. Fosca's fervent longing draws him in as it threatens to upend his career in an exhilarating tangle of obsession, desire, and madness.

The creative team includes musical direction by Jon Kalbfleisch, scenic design by Lee Savage, lighting design by Colin K. Bills, costume design by Robert Perdziola, sound design by Ryan Hickey, and wig design by Anne Nesmith.