Yale School of Drama to open season with ‘gothic fever-dream of a musical’

The Yale School of Drama will stage “Passion,” a play directed by Rory Pelsue with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, at the University Theatre, 222 York St. Opening night is Monday, Feb. 5.

A description of the play from the organizers reads: “The play is set on a remote military outpost in 19th-century Italy, where a handsome soldier is relentlessly pursued by an anguished, ardent young woman, driving him to extremes of rage and ecstasy he never knew possible. ‘Passion’ is a gothic fever-dream of a musical in which love’s power over reason is absolute.”

The play, which is based on the film “Passione d’Amore,” features book by James Lapine, music direction by Jill Brunelle, choreography by Mary Chandler Gwin, scenic design by Riw Rakkulchon, costume design by Matthew R. Malone, lighting design by Nic Vincent, sound design by Tye Hunt Fitzgerald, dramaturgy by Molly Fitzmaurice, technical direction by Sayantee Sahoo, and stage management by Abigail Gandy.

The cast includes Abubakr Ali, Erika Anclade, Ben Anderson, Stephen Cefalu Jr., John R. Colley, Erron Crawford, Patrick Foley, Courtney Jamison, Steven Lee Johnson, Stephanie Machado, Patrick Madden, Hudson Oznowicz, Lynda Paul, and Solon Snider. Musicians include Kari Hastad, Márta Hortobágyi Lambert, Kay Nakazawa, Joran L. Ross, Jennifer Schmidt, Noah Stevens-Stein, Emily Wilson, and Leonardo Ziporyn.

“Passion” will be performed Saturday, Feb. 3, and Monday, Feb. 5, through Thursday, Feb. 9. All performances are at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $15-$25. They are available online at drama.yale.edu, by phone at 203-432-1234, and in person at the box office (1120 Chapel St. at York Street).