Because the original 1948-50 Broadway run of the show never got an original cast album (there was a London recording), the score is lesser-known Loesser and will be a discovery for several generations of musical theatre fans. The musical comedy, based on the farcical comedy Charley's Aunt, also includes "My Darling, My Darling," "Make a Miracle" and "The New Ashmolean Marching Society and Students' Conservatory Band," among others.
The complete cast was announced on Feb. 28. The company, directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle (Sweeney Todd, Company) also includes Sebastian Arcelus as Jack, Jeff Brooks as Brassett, Rebecca Luker Donna Lucia D'Alvadorez, Dakin Matthews as Spettigue, Howard McGillin as Sir Francis Chesney, Jill Paice as Kitty Verdun and Lauren Worsham as Amy Spettigue, with Dan Callaway, Meggie Cansler, Hannah Chin, Nick Cosgrove, Desiree Davar, Ashlee Dupre, Leah Edwards, Drew Frankin, Arlo Hill, Leah Horowitz, Jordan Hunt, Amy Justman, Max Kumangai, Analisa Leaming, Colby Lindeman, Angelina Mullins, Patricia Noonan, Weston Wells Olson, Lainie Sakakura, Tommy Scrivens, Kendall Sparks, Brendan Stimson and Amos Wolff.
Encores! music director Rob Berman is the musical director. Alex Sanchez (Fosse) will choreograph.
Where's Charley? represents composer-lyricist Loesser's first Broadway score (Guys and Dolls, The Most Happy Fella and How to Succeed in Business… would follow). George Abbott penned the libretto, an adaptation of Brandon Thomas' classic British college farce Charley's Aunt. (Several versions of the script and score have been seen over the years, in revival. The Encores! run will likely represent the show as it was seen in 1948.)
Where's Charley? was a major success for star Ray Bolger, as Charley, whose sing-along "Once in Love With Amy" (and his limber, bounding dance moves) thrilled audiences. He won the Tony Award for his turn. George Balanchine was the original choreographer. McClure is currently playing Mozart in Walnut Street Theatre's Amadeus in Philadelphia; Arcelus played Elf on Broadway in late 2010; Tony nominee McGillin was The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and also starred in Anything Goes at Lincoln Center Theater and Broadway's Edwin Drood; Tony nominee Rebecca Luker starred in Mary Poppins, Music Man, Show Boat and more; Paice appeared in Curtains and The Woman in White; Worsham was Cunegonde in New York City Opera's Candide and played Lili in the 2010 Goodspeed Musicals run of Carnival.
Tickets for Where's Charley? are available at the New York City Center Box Office (West 55th Street between 6th and 7th avenues), through CityTix at (212) 581-1212, or online at www.NYCityCenter.org. Tickets for the Orchestra, Grand Tier and Mid-Mezzanine are $100; tickets for the Rear Mezzanine and Front Gallery are $50; tickets for the Rear Gallery are $25.
