They say that in the game of love, there is always the lover and the beloved. The lover showers the beloved with affection, while the later just enjoys the pedestal and relishes it. Passion is a one-act musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by James Lapine. It is an adaptation from the film Passione d'Amore by Etore Scola, which was adapted from Tarchetti's novel Fosca. The musical, however, has Giorgio Bachetti, a young soldier, as its protagonist.
The backdrop was the Risorgimento Era in 1863 Italy and Giorgio (Vien King) has just been transferred from Milan to a provincial outpost, forcing him to be apart from his lover Clara (Jasmine Fitzgerald). There, he meets Fosca (Shiela Valderrama), the terminally ill cousin of the Colonel. An atypical love story begins thanks to some books and a doctor.
In this staging, the impossibility of Giorgio developing any feelings for Fosca was even more pronounced. Fosca wasn't just weak and dying, her face was close to disfigurement because of her debilitating illness. Both Giorgio and Clara were faces out of a billboard ad, an Asian prince and a European vixen.
I have watched Shiela in previous performances so I was surprised by how well she carried the role you could describe it as bespoke. It is very difficult to imagine anyone else playing the role. Her previous roles are ingenue types and the director, Robbie Guevara, said that it was her first time doing such a darkly passionate character. Fosca had two faces here, the manipulative aspect of women who does what they can to get the man they want and the tragic heroine, who would offer her mind, body, and soul to a man who blatantly says to her face that he cannot reciprocate hr love and he even hates her. From the moment Shiela entered, even without reading the synopsis, you'd know that there is something not right about her, not just because she was ill, but because something horrible most likely happened to her to make her that desperate. Her "earthy" singing actually reminded me of Audra Mcdonald's performance in Ragtime.
Vien and Jasmine, though not as advanced in years as Shiela when it comes to musical theater experience, have crystal clear voices. I liked the several costume changes of Clara, which reminded me of a fashion show, as she strutted up and down the stage while reading her correspondences with Giorgio. The costumes themselves were meticulously designed that is why I was surprised that the producer's mom, Zenaida Gutierrez, was the costume designer. Giorgio can be emphatic but merciless at the same time, as men are won't to be, when they are the one being chased by women.
Sondheim's women, unlike ingenues in Shakesperean tragedies, are fighters. Sure, they may be hopelessly in love and are not getting any back in return, but they know how to play their cards right and bide for time, even though the method is not exactly moral. Interestingly, this was one of the three musicals whose whole conception was Sondheim's, alongside Sweeney Todd and Roadshow. See, Mrs. Lovett from Sweeney Todd was actually in the same mold as Fosca, using her position of power to keep him by her side. Hollis from Road Show, though technically male, is almost like a female character. Even though he did not overtly use his position of power, his beloved, one of the protagonists, was dependent on him because of his financial capability.
If this type of situation happened in the present day, Fosca, despite her illness, would most likely be slapped with temporary restraining order aside from harrassment charges. Passion is a good reminder that before, crimes of passion occur. Now, having too much passion is the crime. The world won't spin long enough to give justice to the lover and or him/her to finally be the beloved.
Passion is produced by the Philippine Opera Company for its 20th anniversary headed by artistic director Karla Gutierrez. It opened last Sept. 14 and will have 8pm shows on the 21st, 27th, and 28th. The 3pm matinees will be on the 15th, 21st, 22nd, 28th, and 29th. For tickets, you may contact 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.
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