Description
This is a rare July 1st, 1975 program (playbill) from the John Kenley Players' Summer Stock production of the ALAN JAY LERNER and BURTON LANE musical "ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER" in Columbus, Ohio. (The Original Broadway production opened October 17th, 1965 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in New York City 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 SHIRELY JONES and TERENCE MONK and featured JACK WASHBURN, DICK PATTERSON, JACKIE ROHRBACKER, SHAUN CASSIDY, KAREN PRUNCZIK, GENE MILDON, CAROL TRIGG, PATRICK QUINN, SPAIN LOGUE, NICK JOLLEY, LINDA SCOTT, PETE SCHRUM and PAUL LATCHAW ..... 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 PHILLIP LOUIS RODZEN; Choreographed by MARIO MELODIA; Directed by LESLIE B. CUTLER; Produced by JOHN KENLEY ..... DETAILS: The sixteen page playbill measures 5 1/2" X 8 1/2" inches and includes full production credits, cast list, synopsis of scenes, list of musical numbers and wonderful vintage advertising, but no cast photos or bios ..... CONDITION: This rare 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.
