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 Synopsis Materials 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

Music by
Frank Loesser

Lyrics by
Frank Loesser

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Starting Key
E♭
Estimated duration
3 min 08 sec
Instrumentation
(3x) PIANO/CONDUCTOR SCORE, (1x) REED 1 (Flute), (1x) REED 2 (Oboe), (1x) REED 3 (Clarinet), (1x) REED 4 (Clarinet), (1x) REED 5 (Bassoon), (2x) HORNS, (2x) TRUMPET 1 & 2, (1x) TRUMPET 3, (1x) TROMBONE, (3x) PERCUSSION (Drums, Woodblock), (5x) VIOLIN A, (5x) VIOLIN B, (5x) VIOLIN C, (7x) VIOLA, (6x) CELLO, (5x) BASS
MY DARLING, MY DARLING

From
Where's Charley?

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
LOESSER, FRANK

Lyrics by
LOESSER, FRANK

Orchestrated by
TED ROYAL, HANS SPIALEK & PHIL LANG

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Arranged for
1 FEMALE VOICE, 1 MALE VOICE

Starting Key
B
Estimated duration
4 min 07 sec
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

Music by
LOESSER, FRANK

Lyrics by
LOESSER, FRANK

Orchestrated by
TED ROYAL, HANS SPIALEK & PHIL LANG

show more...show less...
Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Arranged for
2 FEMALE VOICE, 1 MALE VOICE, CHORUS

Starting Key
A

Estimated duration
2 min 10 sec
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

Music by
LOESSER, FRANK

Lyrics by
LOESSER, FRANK

Orchestrated by
MARTIN, JACK

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Arranged for
1 MALE VOICE

Starting Key
E

Estimated duration
1 min 30 sec
Instrumentation

(2x) Piano/Conductor Score; (1x) Reed 1: Flute; (1x) Reed 2: Oboe; (1x) Reed 3: Clarinet; (1x) Reed 4: Clarinet; (1x) Reed 5: Bassoon; (2x) Horns; (2x) Trumpets 1&2; (1x) Trumpet 3; (1x) Trombone; (2x) Drums; (6x) Violin A; (6x) Violin B; (6x) Violin C; (7x) Viola; (6x) Cello; (5x) Bass
ONCE IN LOVE WITH AMY (SHOW EXTRACTION)

From
Where's Charley?

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
Frank Loesser

Lyrics by
Frank Loesser

show more...show less...
Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Starting Key
E♭
Instrumentation

2 PC scores. 1 Flute, 1 Oboe, 1 Clarinet 1, 1 Clarinet 2, 1 Bassoon, 2 Horns, 3 Trumpets, 1 Trombone, 2 Drums, 6 Violin A, 6 Violin B, 6 Violin C, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass
OVERTURE ("WHERE'S CHARLEY?")

From
Where's Charley?

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
LOESSER, FRANK

Orchestrated by
TED ROYAL, HANS SPIAK, & PHIL LANG

show more...show less...
Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Arranged for
INSTRUMENTAL

Starting Key
C

Estimated duration
5 min 25 sec
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