Description
This is a beautiful souvenir program from the Original Broadway production of the ALAN JAY LERNER and BURTON LANE musical "ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER" at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in New York City. (The show opened October 17th, 1965 and ran for 280 performances.) ..... In retrospect, it is amazing that "ON A CLEAR DAY ..." reached the stage at all. The project began auspiciously enough, with a creative team composed of ALAN JAY LERNER, RICHARD RODGERS, and famed choreographer GOWER CHAMPION. Originally titled "I PICKED A DAISY", the show was scheduled to open in March of 1963. Unfortunately Lerner had by this time become deeply addicted to prescription drugs which had a devastating impact on his dedication to the project. Frustrated at the almost complete lack of progress, Rodgers quit the team and BURTON LANE was enlisted to replace him. As a lesser partner, Lane simply endured the long delays in silence. Co-star ROBERT HORTON was let go (and went into the already-in-rehearsal "110 IN THE SHADE", resulting in Hal Holbrook being fired from that show); Champion left the project, taking up David Merrick's "HELLO, DOLLY!", and the "Daisy" production date was put off to 1964. Even then the book and lyrics weren't ready, and the show didn't reach Broadway until 1965, with Lerner still in constant contact with his doctor ..... The musical starred BARBARA HARRIS and JOHN CULLUM, who had replaced Louis Jourdan during the Boston tryouts due to the vocal demands of the material. Featured actors included TITOS VANDIS, WILLIAM DANIELS, CLIFFORD DAVID, RAE ALLEN, MICHAEL LEWIS, GERRY MATTHEWS and BYRON WEBSTER ..... CREDITS: Book and Lyrics by ALAN JAY LERNER ("Brigadoon", "Love Life", "Paint Your Wagon", "My Fair Lady", "Camelot", "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever", "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue", "Carmelina", "Dance a Little Closer" and "Gigi"); Music by BURTON LANE ("Hold on to Your Hats", "Finian's Rainbow", "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever", "Carmelina"); Sets designed by OLIVER SMITH; Costumes designed by FREDDY WITTOP; Choreographed by HERBERT ROSS; Directed by ROBERT LEWIS; Produced by ALAN JAY LERNER in association with ROGO Productions ..... DETAILS: The oversized 20 page program measures 8 1/2" X 11" inches and includes full production credits, promotional text, photos and bios of each of the leading actors and members of the creative team and several black and white production photos ..... CONDITION: This rare program is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.
