The reviews for On a Clear Day You Can See Forever are in, and though they aren’t the worst we’ve seen this season, they are nowhere near rave reviews. With some very intensive script-changes that throw gender-bending into the mix, critics found the new book almost as problematic as the original. The biggest upset was the splitting of the main female character’s multiple personalities into multiple cast members, rather than keeping it a showcase of one actress’ abilities. Most agree that Christine Jones’ sets and the songs themselves were the greatest stars, but overall were underwhelmed by this “reincarnation.”
NEW YORK TIMES
Toward the long-awaited end of the new semirevival of “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever,” which opened on Sunday at the St. James Theater, an eminent psychiatrist proposes that what we have been watching was perhaps only “my own psychoneurotic fantasy.”
Click here to read the full “On A Clear Day You Can See Forever” review.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The diagnosis is in for Harry Connick Jr.’s Broadway musical about a psychiatrist undergoing a psychic meltdown: It needs more time on the couch.
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HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
Respect to director Michael Mayer and playwright Peter Parnell for their audacious attempt at reinventing a problematic musical in the Broadway revival of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. The 1965 show has always been much loved for its lush Burton Lane score but denied the stamp of greatness by Alan Jay Lerner’s over-complicated structural mess of a book.
Click here to read the full “On A Clear Day You Can See Forever” review.
VARIETY
The play initially was constructed as a vehicle for a star singer/comedienne (played by Barbara Harris on stage, Barbra Streisand on screen). The challenge and the fun came from watching an insecure neurotic instantly and repeatedly transformed through hypnosis into her glamorous, past-life self. Mayer has seen fit to divide this star part in half and have it played by two actors, removing the one element that thoroughly worked in the original.
Click here to read the full “On A Clear Day You Can See Forever” review.
NEWSDAY
It’s a relief and a special pleasure to report that Mayer, in a square-cornered turn from his smart-rock productions of “Spring Awakening” and “American Idiot,” has joined playwright Peter Parnell to change an unworkable plot into a more-than-serviceable gender-bending framework. There’s a mostly-classy cast, a fantasy op-art set and almost two dozen wonderful songs from the Broadway production and the film.
Click here to read the full “On A Clear Day You Can See Forever” review.
Broadway Musical Blog 
I was fortunate enough to see the show last evening. Although I felt the early part was slow and did not grab my attention, it was needed in order to build the story and introduce the characters.
The first half did gain momentum and had some absolutely delightful scenes. The second half was just the opposite. It grabbed my attention from the start and not only held it but I thought was excellent. At time a tear jerker, at times funny, and at times amusing.
The show is unusual and enters some unusual boundries. If you are expecting the original version, this certainly is not it. If you are willing to open up to new ideas and something different on Broadway, you may appreciate it as a beautiful but unusual love story, introduced in a unique way.
I applaud Michael Mayer for taking the chance of entering a new arena with these radical and quirky changes.
In this day of gay marriage, the storyline behind the show is even more appropriate.
The actors protrayed their parts well but outstanding in her Broadway debut was Jessie Mueller who certainly deserved her numerous rounds of applause.
I wnet expecting a strong musical but left having enjoyed a fun show, with some great songs, not muct dancing with the exception of an absolutely titilating three way dance between Harry Connick, Jr, David Turner, and Jessie Mueller. Harry Connick Jr. made this unique dance graceful and unique.
I certainy would not say this was the best show I have seen, but I would see it again. It is not for everyone, but it was a very enjoyable evening.
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