Where's Charley? The Musical

Music & Lyrics by Frank Loesser
Book: George Abbott

Recommended Resources

Plot Summary & Audition Tips

List of Characters in Where's Charley?

Where's Charley Sheet Music (Vocal Selections)

The Four Lads Sing Frank Loesser (contains a Where's Charley? medley)

Based on Charley's Aunt by Brandon Thomas.

The plot of Where's Charley sounds strangely reminiscient of one of Shakespeare's "mistaken identity" comedies. The trouble all starts when Charley's aunt Lucia, who is needed as a chaperone, fails to arrive. Desperate to be with his girl, Jack persuades his buddy Charley to dress up as Lucia to satisfy the girls' guardian, Mr. Spettigue. Unfortunately for Charley, Mr. Spettigue takes a special interest in "Lucia" and wishes to marry her. Meanwhile, the real aunt Lucia has arrived. Seeing that someone is in her place, she poses as "Mrs. Beverly Smythe" and soon realizes that Charley is posing as her.

After Charley spends a considerable amount of time and energy trying to escape the advances of Mr. Spettigue while still keeping his girlfriend Amy happy, the truth is revealed. Jack & Kitty become engaged, as do Charley and Amy. Jack's father Sir Francis and the real aunt Lucia have rekindled an old love, and only Mr. Spettigue is left alone.

The music in Where's Charley is fairly simple to learn and sing.

The role of Charley requires an actor with comedic ability as well as dance skills for a soft shoe number.

Jack Chesney (Tenor, 18-23)

Oxford University graduate. Stubborn, impetuous, young and handsome.

Charley Wykeham (Baritone, high energy comedian, dance, 18-23)

Jack's roommate. Charming, masculine, very comic, feckless, physical, fast-paced. Ray Bolger type.

Kitty Verdun (Soprano, 17-20)

Jack's refined, honest, slightly reckless girl.

Amy Spettigue (Mezzo, 17-20)

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

Mr. Spettigue (Bass/Low Baritone, 40+)

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

Donna Lucia D'Alvadorez (Soprano, 40+)

Charley's aunt from Brazil. Poses as "Mrs. Beverly Smythe". An attractive, stylish globetrotter.

Sir Francis Chesney (Baritone)

Jack's clueless single father. Recently found himself in financial difficulty.

Brassett

Jack's butler

Photographer, Patricia, Reggie, a maid, a professor, Wilkinson.

Chorus of Oxford graduates

Where's Charley Related Websites

Audition Preparation Materials

List of Songs in Where's Charley? (Click the song title to download digital sheet music)

• Improve your comedy skills
• Impove your tap dance skills

• Salad Days (Oxford seniors)
• Better Get Out Of Here (Kitty & Amy)
• New Ashmolean Marching Society & Student Conservatory Band (Student Band)
• My Darling, My Darling (Jack & Kitty)
• Make A Miracle (Charley & Amy)
• Serenade With Asides (Mr. Spettigue)
• Lovelier Than Ever (Sir Francis & Donna Lucia)
• The Woman In His Room (Amy)
• Pernambuco (Chorus)
• How Do You Do
• Where's Charley (Oxford Graduates)
• Once In Love With Amy (Charley)
• The Gossips (Kitty & Amy)
• At The Red Rose Cotillion (Ensemble)
• My Darling, My Darling (Ensemble)