First, time for a fun fact. When Lane & Lerner’s On A Clear Day You Can See Forever opened on Broadway in 1965 it had the unheard of top ticket price of $11.90. The original run had mixed reviews. A couple of songs scored including “Come Back to Me” and the title song. The show was revamped before it went on tour with extraneous characters and songs dropped. Despite a so-so critical reception, the 1970 Barbra Streisand movie is now considered by the American Film Institute to be one of the 100 greatest musicals ever. I remembered loving the score and the groovy 1960’s era ESP plot device. So it was with great excitement that, in 2011, I went to see this show starring Harry Connick, Jr. It was one of the worst things I have ever seen on a Broadway stage; scarily uncomfortable-to-watch bad.
When I heard that Irish Rep was going to mount On A Clear Day, I hoped for a better showing to reconsider this piece. A few season’s ago they revived Finian’s Rainbow with Melissa Errico and Ryan Silverman which was far superior to the good 2009 Broadway outing. Ms. Errico takes the helm again as Daisy Gamble, a chain-smoking gal who has major talents, notably ESP and an ability to make plants grow really, really fast. She is wonderful here, in beautiful voice as usual, with a terrifically fun character to play.
Essentially On A Clear Day involves Daisy going to see Dr. Mark Brucker (Stephen Bogardus, excellent) to be hypnotized so she can stop smoking (in this version for herself, the fiancé angle was cut). We quickly learn she has ESP and has also been reincarnated. Daisy was Melinda in the 18th Century, in love with the cad Edward Moncrief, superbly played and sung by John Cudia (Phantom of the Opera). What’s so nice about this production is that the kooky plot is clearly understandable and the time changes are executed simply and effectively. Both Irish Rep revivals were beautifully directed by Charlotte Moore, a co-founder of this troupe. Although the stage is notoriously small, the score shines brightly, the jokes land firmly and it’s a very clear day indeed.
The last Broadway outing messed with the storyline so that Daisy became Davey but was still Melinda in a past life. Mr. Connick had to be in love with a Melinda but the confusion over Davey made the whole thing a colossal mess. What I can guarantee you from this revival is that this musical, its tunes and its quirkiness is getting a fine showcase to be enjoyed. I can also guarantee you that you will leave the theater and find it impossible not to be singing or humming or whistling, “On that clear day, you can see forever and ever and ever more.” More good news: the run has just extended into September.
Side note: Melissa Errico and Ryan Silverman who co-starred in Finian’s Rainbow will be performing at 54 Below on August 6 and 7th.