CSC artistic director Brian Kulick and executive director Greg Reiner announced April 11 that Doyle will develop his own projects for the company and help shape CSC's new Musical Theatre Initiative, which launched with Passion.

Doyle is a Tony Award winner for his 2005 actor-musician staging of Sweeney Todd. He also staged the 2006 actor-musician production of Company on Broadway and the New York premiere of Sondheim's Road Show. Doyle does not employ the actor-musician concept for his intimate staging of CSC's Passion.

"I am thrilled to have been invited by Classic Stage Company to become an associate director with the company," Doyle said in a statement. "Directing Passion at this wonderful venue was a true pleasure and it is so exciting to have the opportunity to make an on-going input into the work of CSC. I look forward to spending some time each season with Brian Kulick and his terrific staff."

"I think I can speak for everyone that has ever worked with John when I say the encounter is both intoxicating and life-altering," Kulick said in a statement. "Here is an artist of the keenest intelligence, deepest humanity and boundless spirit; rehearsals become a wonderfully extended holiday where everyday there is a new gift of insight or inspiration. It is a great joy for all of us at CSC to be able to continue this special relationship with John on a more formal, on-going basis. In short: we are thrilled and honored to make CSC a home for this extraordinary artist who understands the nature and power of theatre on a cellular level."

Doyle's production of the Tony Award-winning 1994 musical Passion, which features a libretto by Lapine and a score by Sondheim, began previews Feb. 8 and officially opened Feb. 28. Critics embraced Doyle's production, which has extended through April 19. Visit classicstage.org.

View highlghts from Passion on Playbill Video: