Passion is a masterpiece of the musical theatre, and this new recording by PS Classics captures every nuance of the rhapsodic score as well as preserving nearly all of James Lapine's dark and complex book. The show won many awards when it opened in 1994, including Tonys for Best Score, Best Book, Best Actress, and Best Musical. The original Broadway cast recording (now, criminally, out of print on CD) was a thing of beauty but it did not preserve the entire score. Now, for the first time, we have the complete score and nearly all of the book (also released on two CDs) documenting the critically-acclaimed 2013 New York production directed by John Doyle. Melissa Errico, who played Clara in the production, was unable to participate in the recording due to illness (the producers postponed the recording sessions on her behalf, but finally had to commit to a studio date). On this recording she is replaced by Rebecca Luker, who had previously played Clara opposite Judy Kuhn's Fosca in the 2002 Kennedy Center production of Passion. All three leads, Kuhn, Luker, and Ryan Silverman as Giorgio sing beautifully. Perhaps even more importantly, they act their roles with conviction and aplomb. For fans of the show, this recording is an absolute must-have, and may actually replace the original cast recording in many playlists. For those who don't yet know the show, this recording is the perfect introduction. This is one of Stephen Sondheim's most beautiful and accessible scores, woven into a book that is beautiful, passionate, dark, and ultimately emotionally cathartic. Buy the recording, take the journey, become a fan for life.

I've been waiting for this album to come out to buy Sondheim's Passion... The other cast is wonderful but the new recording is spectacular. Sondheim is always (usually) a delight to listen to, and this off broadway cast sizzles through his sensual score with beauty and skill. Definitely a buy for any lover of musical theater or Sondheim, or anybody who has any sense at all... Parental guidance recommended...

The lyrical and orchestral masterpiece, Passion, is one of the more underrated shows in history. With that being said, the covers of Loving You are endless and that seems to be one of the few songs to succeed in the outside world. The entire piece is masterful and moving. Every time I hear this show, I tear up. Something new is found, emotionally, that I cannot seem to escape. The original cast is masterful and this cast finds a different meaning behind each song and moment. My complain about this soundtrack is that the vocals seem choppy, primarily in No One Has Ever Loved Me, and I wish that the musical line was more apparent. I wish this show had gone on longer and it is not lost amongst the juggernauts in the musical industry.