Description
I'm currently listing a large number of playbills representing some of the most memorable Broadway performances of the 1950's and 1960's ......... This is a rare autographed October 17th, 1965 PREMIERE PERFORMANCE playbill (with an Opening Night ticket stub) from the Original Broadway production of the ALAN JAY LERNER and BURTON LANE musical "ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER" which played 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 signed the title page) and featured 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 58 page playbill measures 6" X 9" inches and includes full production credits, cast list, synopsis of scenes, list of musical numbers and bios of each of the leading actors and members of the creative team but with the exception of the front cover, no cast photos. Includes a full page ad for the Original Broadway Cast recording of "ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER" on RCA Victor Records (third scanned image). Includes an original ticket stub from Opening Night ..... CONDITION: With the exception of a torn corner to the first inside page and slight discoloration to some of the inside pages, this playbill 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, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.
