Passion: Melissa Errico on vocal rest

Melissa Errico, who stars as 'Clara' in the Classic Stage Company's Off-Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony Award-winning musical Passion, is currently on vocal leave. Errico has been absent from the show since 21 Mar 2013 recovering from bronchitis. Amy Justman is currently playing the role.

Passion, directed by John Doyle, opened at the Classic Stage Company on 28 Feb 2013, following previews from 07 Feb 2013, where it is playing an extended run through to 19 Apr 2013.

The musical opened to mixed reviews: Never quite delivers (newyorktheatreguide.com); Impressive enough to inspire love at first sight (NYDN); Lacks a key ingredient — passion (NYP); One of the highlights of the season (Record).

Set in 19th century Italy, Passion concerns Captain Giorgio Bachetti, a military hero, transferred to a strange and remote Italian outpost. Far away from his beloved Clara, he encounters Fosca, the cousin of his commanding officer, and her influence has shattering and inconceivable consequences.

The musical stars Melissa Errico as 'Clara,' Judy Kuhn as 'Fosca' and Ryan Silverman as 'Giorgio' and also features Stephen Bogardus as 'Colonel Ricci,' Jeffry Denman as 'Lieutenant Barri,' Jason Michael Evans as 'Private Augenti,' Ken Krugman as 'Lieutenant Torasso,' Orville Mendoza as 'Sergeant Lombardi,' Tom Nelis as 'Doctor Tambourri' and Will Reynolds as 'Major Rizzoli/Ludovic.'

The musical features a score and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine. The production is directed and designed by John Doyle, with costumes by Ann Hould-Ward, lighting by Jane Cox and sound by Dan Moses Schreier.