Ryan Silverman Marches Into Classic Stage Company's Passion as Hunky Soldier Giorgio

Judy Kuhn now has a strapping soldier to obsess over in the upcoming revival of Passion. Ryan Silverman is set join the Classic Stage Company's production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical. Directed by John Doyle, performances will begin at the off-Broadway theater in February 2013. 

Adapted from the film Passione d'Amore and set in 19th century Italy, Passion follows handsome soldier Giorgio (Silverman), who becomes the object of obsessive love from Fosca (Kuhn), his colonel's chronically ill, bedridden cousin. The story unfolds as Giorgio sends and receives letters from his mistress, Clara (Melissa Errico).

Silverman's Broadway credits include Cry-Baby and The Phantom of the Opera. He appeared in the off-Broadway revival of The Most Happy Fella. His TV and film credits include Gossip Girl, Sex and the City 2 and True Blood. Silverman was set to lead the Broadway musical Rebecca this fall before the production was canceled.

Passion originally opened on Broadway on May 9, 1994 at the Plymouth Theatre and ran for 280 performances. Directed by Lapine, the production starred Donna Murphy, Jere Shea, Marin Mazzie and Tom Aldredge. The show earned Tony Awards for Best Musical as well as trophies for Sondheim's score, Lapine's book and Murphy's performance.