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Where's Charley?

Where's Charley? is a musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by George Abbott. The story was based on the 1892 play Charley's Aunt by Brandon Thomas. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1948 and was revived on Broadway and in the West End. Ray Bolger starred, and sang the popular song "Once In Love With Amy".

For the 1952 film version, see Where's Charley? (film).

Where's Charley?

Frank Loesser

Frank Loesser

George Abbott

Brandon Thomas's play
Charley's Aunt

1948 Broadway
1951 Broadway revival
1952 Film
1958 West End
1974 Broadway revival

Charley Wykeham – An Oxford University graduate. Charming, masculine, very comic, feckless, physical, fast-paced.

Jack Chesney – Charley's best friend and roommate. An Oxford University graduate. Stubborn, impetuous, young and handsome.

Amy Spettigue – Charley's girlfriend. Interested in science. Remains faithful to Charley despite his strange behavior. Sweet, clever, well-mannered.

Kitty Verdun – Jack's refined, honest, slightly reckless girl.

Mr. Spettigue – Amy's uncle – uptight, money-loving guardian of Amy & Kitty.

Donna Lucia D'Alvadorez – Charley's aunt from Brazil. Poses as "Mrs. Beverly Smythe". An attractive, stylish globetrotter.

Sir Francis Chesney – Jack's clueless single father. Recently found himself in financial difficulty.

Reggie – Charley's rival for the affection of Amy. Crazy, stupid and tactless.

Brasset – Jack's Butler

Patricia – An Oxford graduate. Likes to gossip.

Wilkinson – The director of Theatrics at Oxford.

Overture – Orchestra

The Years Before Us – Male Chorus

Better Get Out Of Here – Charley, Jack, Kitty, Amy

The New Ashmolean Marching Society And Students' Conservatory Band – Ensemble

My Darling, My Darling – Jack, Kitty

Make A Miracle – Charley, Amy

Serenade With Asides – Spettigue

Lovelier Than Ever – Donna Lucia, Sir Francis, Ensemble

The Woman In His Room – Amy

Pernambuco – Ensemble

Audio recordings[edit]

An audio recording of the 1958 London production has been released, but no complete recording of the Broadway score ever appeared, due to the 1948 recording ban. Bolger and the cast recorded two songs for a 45-rpm single, "Once in Love With Amy" b/w "Make a Miracle" (Decca 1-191) and a 78-rpm record (Decca 40065). (This version of "Once in Love with Amy" appears on several Broadway CD anthologies.) A 1952 film was made by Warner Bros., featuring Bolger and other original cast members.


Johnny Mercer recorded a 78 RPM version of "The New Ashmolean Marching Society and Students' Conservatory Band" with Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra on Capitol Records #15385. (Reportedly the ghost of Elias Ashmole – for whom the Society and Museum are both named[8] – was seen to smile upon hearing it).

Internet Broadway Database listing

Internet Movie Database listing

Where's Charley? at Frank Loesser site

at the Music Theatre International website

Where's Charley?