Hurry! It's Lovely Up Here! . . .

To Streisand fans, "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever" is one of her most classic and revered performances. Great tunes, wonderful period costumes, stunning locations and a creative storyline about mysticism were all masterfully woven together by legendary film director Vincente Minnelli. The result was a Streisand musical vehicle that has withstood the test of time for nearly four decades.

But Barbra's portrayal of Daisy Gamble was not the first. In fact, it was not even the most recent. Two notable Broadway portrayals of the character have graced the New York boards throughout the years.
 

The Many Lives of Daisy Gamble Barbara Harris (1965) Barbra Streisand (1970) Kristen Chenoweth (2000)

Growing Up Daisy:
The Reincarnation of a Beloved Psychic
 

1965 Legendary lyricist Alan Jay Lerner wrote a book for a new Broadway musical production called "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever." Directed by Robert Lewis and with a score by Lerner and Lane, the show starred Barbara Harris as Daisy Gamble and John Cullem as Dr. Mark Bruckner. Streisand film alum William Daniels ("All Night Long") played the supporting role of Warren. The original production was modestly successful, lasting 280 performances and three previews. Barbara Harris's notices, however, were all raves. Daisy Gamble was the role of a lifetime for Harris and her portrayal of the character established her as an overnight sensation on Broadway. The show came up empty handed at the Tonys but did receive three nominations ("Best Actress in a Musical" for Harris, "Best Actor in a Musical" for Cullem and "Best Composer and Lyricist" for Lerner and Lane). Future Streisand collaborator, Herb Ross choreographed the show. There are some subtle (and not so subtle) differences between the Broadway and film versions of "Clear Day." The first thing you'd notice is that some character names were altered for the film. Dr. Mark Bruckner became Dr. Marc Chabot and Melinda's surname was changed from Wells to Winifred-Waine-Tentrees. And just for good measure, Warren Smith became Warren Pratt on screen. On stage, Melinda's story line was quite different. She died in a drowning at sea while on her way to America. The plot had nothing to do with insurance company inquisitions, court trials or unjust executions. The time-line of Melinda's story centers around 1794, not 1814 as in the film. She did not attend any grand banquets with the King or engage in any extramarital liaisons with an ambassador. Melinda did have a suitor named Edward whom she eventually married. Edward was a womanizer who fell for Melinda's charm. (His character was scaled back and rewritten as Robert Tentrees for the film version). Melinda never had a first husband named Percy. Meanwhile, Daisy Gamble lived in Mamaroneck, New York. She did not reside in a penthouse apartment in Manhattan. Neither did she not have a step-brother named Tad. The final scene of the play takes place at an airport. Daisy has a premonition that the plane Dr. Bruckner is about to get on will crash. She warns him not to board. The flight is cancelled due to technical malfunctions. When Daisy and Bruckner see that the name of the aircraft is the same as the ship where Melinda met her demise, Daisy realizes that she may indeed have had a past life. She and Dr. Bruckner go off together, seemingly to live happily ever after (and after...). The stage version of "Clear Day" contained a number of songs that were not incorporated into the film. The musical number, "Wait till We're Sixty-five" was performed in the stage version, and although a Streisand audio track of the song was recorded during film production, the sequence never made it to the screen. On stage, Edward sings the ballad "She Wasn't You." The film version has Streisand performing "He Isn't You" as a rewrite for Melinda's character. On stage, when Melinda first meets Edward, she sings a delightful number called "Tosy and Cosh." In the film, it's the melody we hear when Melinda arrives by carriage at Brighton Pavilion and first lays eyes on Robert Tentrees. The stage version offered deeper character development for Daisy's fiancée, Warren. And a whole subplot existed between Daisy, Bruckner and a Greek tycoon who desired a deeper understanding of reincarnation. Like the similar ancillary character in the film, the tycoon wants to leave all of his money to himself.   1970 Paramount released the Streisand film version of "Clear Day," directed by Vincente Minnelli in 1970. With Barbra's star power, the story line was tightened to provide more emphasis on her two characters, and musical numbers were added or rewritten for Barbra, ("Love With All the Trimmings," "Go to Sleep," "He Isn't You" and "On A Clear Day"). The title number (on stage) was originally performed by John Cullem's character as a solo. For the movie, the number was reworked to allow for a Streisand tour-de-force performance finale. Barbra's rendition of "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever" has since taken on a life of its own. After she performed it in the film, Barbra incorporated the number in many of her live concert performances and television appearances. At the McGovern benefit in 1972, Barbra even jokingly performed the song in honor of the city of Los Angeles and its notorious smog. "Clear Day" is one of the most recognized of all Streisand signature songs and is considered to be one of Barbra's most endearing vocal performances ever. Though the film did not enjoy a huge box-office return when it was first released, Streisand's screen performance and vocal renditions have had lasting endurance. The decision to cast Yves Montand opposite Barbra in the film is considered one of the film's mistakes according to critics and some fans. And at The Actors Studio interview in 2003, Barbra herself was less than enthusiastic about that particular casting decision when the topic of Montand came up. Regardless, Barbra Streisand took a modestly successful stage musical and made it part of her lasting legacy. The film will not only be remembered for her musical and comic contributions but also for the opportunity she was given to work with one of Hollywood's most legendary directors, Vincente Minnelli.   2000 In February of 2000, Daisy Gamble was reborn once again on the New York stage. Tony Award winner Kristen Chenoweth ("You're A Good Man Charlie Brown") offered up a new  rendition of the role that was pure delight. As part of City Center's "Encores!" series, "On A Clear Day" was presented in a limited run of just four performances. Veteran character actor Peter Friedman portrayed Dr. Mark Bruckner. Roger Bart, who costarred as "Snoopy" with Chenoweth in "Charlie Brown" (and also won a Tony) was brought in to play the role of Warren. The revival received overall good notices, with the New York Times saying: "Like the original ''Clear Day,'' ... this one is a must-see for its music and its star ... And then there is Ms. Chenoweth, who beams through the night in what seems to be a state of effortless ecstasy, lending wholesale sincerity to an outrageous gimmick of a role."   2010 The New York Times reported in July, 2010 that "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever" will return to the New York stage once again. Michael Mayer ("Spring Awakening" and "American Idiot") will direct the show in a new 2011 production. The new 2011 revival is planned as an off-Broadway production that will have fans of the show stunned, but certainly not appalled by one of the major changes that are proposed. The book has been reworked by Peter Parnell (and sanctioned by the estate of original author, Alan Jan Lerner) and will present the story with a most intriguing twist: A related report at Playbill.com offers insight into the rewrite:  Mayer has kept mostly mum about the changes in the tale, but gender and sexuality issues are now apparently a part of the love story. An earlier draft of Mayer's version had the psychoanalyst character treating a gay man and uncovering the patient's past life — a woman. The doctor falls for the past incarnation, causing comic and romantic confusion, all wrapped in rich show music. Mayer told Playbill.com on July 5, "I can't really discuss all the new writing on Clear Day, as we're still very much in process. I can say that the basic construct of the original story is the same, but the rest of it is being explored in new ways." According to The Times, material from both the stage and film versions of the show will be incorporated in the new production, including, we assume, some of the music Barbra Streisand sang exclusively in the movie. "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever" is scheduled to open at New York's Vineyard Theatre in the fall of 2011. The cast has not been announced.   2011 Previews for the official Broadway revival of "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever" began on Nov. 12 at the St. James Theatre. Opening night was December 11. Harry Connick, Jr. starred as Dr Bruckner. The new production employed several clever devices. Daisy Gamble became David Gamble,, as portrayed by Broadway veteran David Turner (right). His alter-ego character of Melinda was played by Jessie Mueller. Mueller provided the breakout moment of the show. Critics hailed her performance despite overall lackluster reviews for the show. The new production also marked the first time songs originally sung by Barbra Streisand in the 1970 film were performed on a New York stage. The show received a slew of lackluster reviews which contributed to lower than expected box office receipts. Producers decided to close the show on January 29, 2012.