Where's Charley?

Where's Charley?
This hilarious musical farce of disguised chaperones and young love features the music of the incomparable Frank Loesser.

What do you get when two musical theatre masters, Frank Loesser and George Abbott, adapt one of the most successful farces of all time? Where's Charley?, a tuneful comedy classic that earned lead actor Ray Bolger (of Wizard of Oz fame) a Tony Award and launched Loesser's career (Guys and Dolls)! George Abbot's book preserves all of the laughs from the record-breaking play, Charlie's Aunt, upon which the show is based.

Oxford University students Charley and Jack invite the young and winsome Kitty and Amy to lunch under the chaperoning eye of Donna Lucia, Charley's wealthy aunt (it is, after all, 1892). But when Donna Lucia doesn't show, a desperate Charley disguises himself as his aunt so that the young ladies can visit. Charley is unaware that they've brought a chaperone of their own: Amy's stuffy uncle, who promptly falls for Charley's aunt-like charms! When the real aunt shows up, it's all downhill from there: quick changes, fast-talking, marriage proposals, compromising situations and rowdy hilarity.

Where's Charley? offers a star turn for a talented leading man amongst a medium-sized cast. Featuring Loesser's critically acclaimed, but fairly obscure, score, Where's Charley? is a chance to introduce audiences to a classic Golden Age musical that they'll love, but that they probably haven't already heard, while keeping the interest of die-hard fans.

Full SynopsisMaterials and Orchestration

Concert Selections for Where's Charley?

MTI is pleased to provide the pre-approved rental materials of select songs for your symphonic concert performance. Please note, MTI is unable to grant the necessary Performance Rights with this material rental. The Performance Rights needed must be obtained separately through the individual song’s respective small rights agency such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. Please email concerts@mtishows.com with any questions.

  • MAKE A MIRACLE
    From
    WHERE'S CHARLEY?
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Type
    SHOW EXTRACTION
    Estimated duration
    0 sec
    Music by
    Frank Loesser
    Lyrics by
    Frank Loesser
    Instrumentation
    1 Flute, 2 Clarinets, 1 Bassoon, 2 Horns, 3 Trumpets, 1 Trombone, (3) Percussion, (5) Violin A, (5) Violin B, (5) Violin C, (7) Viola, (6) Cello, (5) Bass, 3 Piano-Conductor Scores.
  • MY DARLING, MY DARLING
    From
    WHERE'S CHARLEY?
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Type
    SHOW EXTRACTION
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE, 1 MALE VOICE
    Starting Key
    Bb
    Estimated duration
    6 min 47 sec
    Music by
    LOESSER, FRANK
    Lyrics by
    LOESSER, FRANK
    Orchestrated by
    TED ROYAL, HANS SPIALEK & PHIL LANG
    Instrumentation
    1 Reed 1, 1 Reed 2, 1 Alt.Reed 2, 1 Reed 3, 1 Reed 4, 1 Reed 5, 1 Horn, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Trombone, 6 Violin A, 6 Violin B, 6 Violin C, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 3 Drum, 2 Piano Conductor, 25 Chorus books
  • NEW ASHMOLEAN MARCHING SOCIETY
    From
    WHERE'S CHARLEY?
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Type
    SHOW EXTRACTION
    Arranged for
    2 FEMALE VOICE, 1 MALE VOICE, CHORUS
    Starting Key
    A
    Estimated duration
    3 min 30 sec
    Music by
    LOESSER, FRANK
    Lyrics by
    LOESSER, FRANK
    Orchestrated by
    TED ROYAL, HANS SPIALEK & PHIL LANG
    Instrumentation
    1 Reed 1(Piccolo), 1 Reed 2(Oboe), 1 Reed 2(Alternate Clarinet), 1 Reed 3(Clarinet), 1 Reed 4(Clarinet), 1 Reed 5(Bassoon), 1 Horn, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Trombone, 6 Violin A, 6 Violin B, 5 Violin C, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 3 Drum, 2 Piano Conductor, 25 Chorus books
  • ONCE IN LOVE WITH AMY
    From
    WHERE'S CHARLEY?
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Type
    SHOW EXTRACTION
    Arranged for
    1 MALE VOICE
    Starting Key
    E
    Estimated duration
    2 min 10 sec
    Music by
    LOESSER, FRANK
    Lyrics by
    LOESSER, FRANK
    Orchestrated by
    MARTIN, JACK
    Instrumentation
    1 Flute 1, 1 Flute 2, 2 Oboe 1&2, 1 Clarinet 1, 1 Clarinet 2, 1 Bassoon 1, 2 Horn 1&2, 2 Horn 3&4, 2 Trumpet 1, 2 Trumpet 2 &3, 2 Trombone 1 &2, 2 Trombone 3(Tuba), 9 Violin 1, 8 Violin 2, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 1Percussion 1, 1 Celeste, 1 Conductor Score, 1 Vocal
  • ONCE IN LOVE WITH AMY (SHOW EXTRACTION)
    From
    WHERE'S CHARLEY?
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Type
    SHOW EXTRACTION
    Starting Key
    Eb
    Estimated duration
    0 sec
    Music by
    Frank Loesser
    Lyrics by
    Frank Loesser
  • OVERTURE ("WHERE'S CHARLEY?")
    From
    WHERE'S CHARLEY?
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Type
    SHOW EXTRACTION
    Arranged for
    INSTRUMENTAL
    Starting Key
    C
    Estimated duration
    8 min 45 sec
    Music by
    LOESSER, FRANK
    Orchestrated by
    TED ROYAL, HANS SPIAK, & PHIL LANG
    Instrumentation
    1 Reed 1, 1 Reed 2, 1 Reed 2(alternate), 1 Reed 3, 1 Reed 4, 1 Reed 5, 3 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trumpet 3, 2 Horn, 2 Trombone, 9 Violin A, 8 Violin B, 7 Violin C, 6 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 3 Drum, 2 Piano/Conductor

Show Essentials

Book by
George AbbottGeorge Abbott
Music and Lyrics by
Frank LoesserFrank Loesser
Full Billing

Songs

Overture

Better Get Out Of Here

The New Ashmolean Marching Society And Students' Conservatory Band

My Darling, My Darling

Make A Miracle

Serenade With Asides

Lovelier Than Ever

The Woman In His Room

Pernambuco

Where's Charley?

Once In Love With Amy

The Gossips

At The Red Rose Cotillion

Finale

Full Song List

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Tags

Classic Broadway
Comedy
Family
Period/Historical
Romance
Book Musical
Period/Historical
Male Star Vehicle

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