d'Arcy James and Noni Rose Lead Mayer's ON A CLEAR DAY at NY Stage & Film this Summer

The New York Times reports today that Brian D'Arcy James and Anika Noni Rose will lead the 'On A Clear Day You Can See Forever' workshop, directed by Michael Mayer, at the Powerhouse Theater as part of this year's New York Stage and Film series at Vassar College. The production will run from July 29 - August 1.

This concert version of the Alan Jay Lerner/Burton Lane musical will also feature David Turner, Kerry O'Malley, Colin Hanlon and Sarah Stiles.

Mayer explains of his take on the project: "By playing a little bit with gender, I thought I could make a different kind of love triangle at the center of it. That's the goal. What I really wanted to do is keep as much of the spirit of the original show intact, and use as many of the songs that I loved so much, in there."

Mayer would not reveal who was cast as what with this new gender-liberal spin.  To help create his vision onstage, Mayer will be working with bookwriter Peter Parnell of The Cider House Rules fame "to write a new book based on Mr. Lerner's original work, that plays with time periods, mixes material from the stage and film versions, and eliminates overstuffed 1960s-style production numbers" according to the report.

The original Broadway production of On a Clear Day opened at the Mark Hellinger Theatre on October 17, 1965 and closed on June 11, 1966 after 280 performances and 3 previews. The production was directed by Robert Lewis, choreographed by Herbert Ross, and starred Barbara Harris as Daisy Gamble/Melinda, John Cullum as Dr. Mark Bruckner, Clifford David as Edward Moncrief, Titos Vandis as Themistocles Kriakos, and William Daniels as Warren Smith. Scenic design was by Oliver Smith and costume design was by Freddy Wittop. Notable cast replacements later in the run were Linda Lavin as Daisy and Van Johnson as Dr. Bruckner.

In February 2000, the City Center Encores! series presented a staged concert starring Kristin Chenoweth as Daisy/Melinda and Peter Friedman as Dr. Bruckner. The show premiered in London in 2000 at the Bridewell Theatre. A 1970 film adaptation directed by Vincente Minnelli starred Barbra Streisand and Yves Montand.

As previously announced, the Vassar's New York Stage and Film series will also feature We Are Here (June 29 - July 11) by Tracy Thorne, directed by Tony nominee Sheryl Kaller (Next Fall).  The cast includes Uzo Aduba (Coram Boy), Tony nominee de'Adra Aziza (Passing Strange), Tony winner Adriane Lenox (Doubt, Chicago, Caroline or Change), Larry Pine (The Seagull, End of the World, Roy Cohn in Angels in America), Adam Rothenberg (The Retributionists, Danny and the Deep Blue Sea), and Michael Cummings (Joe Turner's Come and Gone). Also on the mainstage is Sam Bendrix at the Bon Soir (July 1 - 3) by Keith Bunin, directed by Mark Rucker with musical direction by Debra Barsha, featuring Luke MacFarlane (Brothers and Sisters, The Busy World is Hushed, Kinsey).

Powerhouse Theater, now beginning its 26th season, continues its mission to offer a haven for world-class artists to gather and explore new material in an atmosphere that is both protected and challenging. Each season Powerhouse offers its audience debuts by Pulitzer, Oscar, and Tony-winning writers, directors, and actors, and introduces its patrons to exciting emerging artists, all at affordable ticket prices.

For tickets and additional information, visit http://powerhouse.vassar.edu or call the Box Office at (845) 437-5599.