Photo Flash: First Look at Natalie Dessay, Ryan Silverman and More in French Premiere of PASSION

Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's PASSION will premiere in Paris at the Châtelet beginning March 16 - 24. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The fifth Stephen Sondheim musical to be presented at Châtelet, this work is taken from a book by a 19th century Italian writer telling "the story of a man who falls in love with an ugly woman, despite her ugliness, which he cannot bear" (Umberto Eco). Struck by the film Passion of Love thatEttore Scola had adapted, Sondheim looked for a balance between "the familiar theatricality of a musical and the extravagant flamboyance of an opera," thus creating a work which turns out to be a lyrical jewel.

Opera star Natalie Dessay will play Fosca with Erica Spyres as Clara and Ryan Silverman as Giorgio. The cast also includes Shea Owens (Colonel Ricci), Karl Haynes (Doctor Tambourri), Roger Honeywell (Lieutenant Torasso), Michael Kelly (Sergeant Lombardi, Cook), Nicholas Garrett (Lieutenant Barri & Fosca's father), Franck Lopez (Major Rizzolli), Damian Thantrey (Count Ludovic), Matthew Gamble (Private Augenti), Tara Venditti (Fosca's mother) and Kimy McLaren (Mistress).

Based on the film Passione d'Amore by Ettore Scola (1981) and in agreement with Drama-Paris on behalf of Music Theatre International (MTI) - New York

For more information, visit: http://chatelet-theatre.com/en/event/passion

Photos Courtesy of ©Théâtre du Châtelet