Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Passion has its French premiere at Paris' Châtelet beginning March 16.

Over the last five years, Sondheim musicals have been prominently featured at the Châtelet with A Little Night Music (2010), Sweeney Todd (2012), Sunday In The Park With George (2013) and Into The Woods (2014), all of which have been directed by Lee Blakeley. This time, French film actress Fanny Ardant helms the production with Andy Einhorn as the musical director. Three-time Academy Award winner Milena Canonero designed the costumes.

Passion will run through March 24.

Opera star Natalie Dessay plays the role of Fosca with Erica Spyres as Clara and Ryan Silverman as Giorgio. Silverman previously played the role in the 2013 Off-Broadway production at CSC. Completing the cast are 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 Ettore Scola's film Passione d'Amore, Passion tells the story of a young Italian soldier who has a passionate affair with a beautiful, married woman, until a transfer to a remote outpost causes him to meet a sickly, unattractive but devoted woman. The original Broadway production, directed by James Lapine, opened on May 9, 1994, at the Plymouth Theatre and starred Donna Murphy, Marin Mazzie and Jere Shea. It ran for 280 performances.

For more information visit chatelet-theatre.com.