Where's Charley?
City Center Theatre
New York, NY
Where’s Charley?, the final New York City Center Encores! production this season, was Loesser’s first Broadway musical for which he wrote the complete score. As enjoyable as it is, it does not offer the characterizations and story depth of Loesser’s later Guys and Dolls or The Most Happy Fella. With book by George Abbott based on Brandon Thomas’s play, Charley’s Aunt, this musical is unpretentious, bubbly fluff that does not try to be anything more, boasting some dreamy love songs and lilting waltzes without demanding anything but pure enjoyment.
The story takes place in 1892 England as two dapper Oxford chaps, Charley Wykeham (McClure) and Jack Chesney (Sebastian Arcelus), prepare to graduate. Since they want to continue courting two young ladies, Amy Spettigue (Lauren Worsham) and Kitty Verdun (Jill Paice), they need a chaperone, and await the arrival of Charley’s wealthy, mysterious aunt, Donna Lucia D’Alvadorez, from Brazil. However, she is delayed and the boys become desperate, so Charley struggles into an extravagantly baroque gown and slaps an ill-fitting gray wig on his head.
They also need the approval of Amy’s uncle and Kitty’s guardian, an arrogant blowhard, Stephen Spettique (Dakin Matthews). Like Jack’s father, Sir Francis (Frank) Chesney (Howard McGillin), Spettique has fallen on hard times, so wealthy Donna Lucia is especially anticipated. Frank’s attention, however, shifts quickly with the arrival of Charley’s real aunt, played by Rebecca Luker. And wouldn’t you know, she happens to be his long lost love?
As in any good farce, mayhem rules. There is much running back and forth on the stage as Stephen chases Charley/Donna Lucia. Charley himself has quite a workout changing from Donna Lucia back into his Charley duds. Arcelus as Jack is a fervent suitor for the lovely Kitty and helps keep his chum on track. As Amy, Worsham shares her beau’s fresh eagerness. Outraged when she finds another woman’s photograph in his room, she delivers a fierce “The Woman in His Room.” Rebecca Luker plays Charley’s real aunt with a slight, knowing smile, since she quickly catches on to what’s going on. Jeff Brooks portrays Jack's tart butler.
Under Musical Director Rob Berman’s Encores! Orchestra, Loesser’s tuneful songs include Luker and McGillin’s lofty operetta-style "Lovelier Than Ever,” Luker’s soprano rich and warm. Jack and Kitty’s passionate duet, “My Darling, My Darling,” with its soaring melody and exuberant emotions for the rapturous young lovers, is a perfect fit tfor this crazy tale. The song later moved to the pop charts, but did not last in the history books. The show also produced a clever counterpoint duet, “Make a Miracle,” as Charlie tries to propose to Amy while she imagines what the upcoming 20th century will bring. “Once in Love with Amy” was a signature song for Ray Bolger and holds up well as performed by Rob McClure. Interestingly, director John Doyle chose not to add musical instruments to the appealing and off-tune, “The New Ashmolean Marching Society and Students’ Conservatory Band.”
Doyle lets the good-natured silliness, energy and musical appeal tell the tale. John Lee Beatty’s set, with hedge-height greenery and wrought iron furnishings, serves as an inviting springtime English lawn. Alex Sanchez’s fine choreography includes “Pernambuco,” a bizarre dream ballet sequence with bare-chested young men and wild-haired women. Ann Hould-Ward’s costumes are colorful ruffles and flourishes for the young ladies, coordinating with the gents’ ties and shirts.
The original show ran almost two years at the St. James Theatre. This well-crafted production will most likely not follow Gypsy and Finian’s Rainbow to Broadway, but as the frothy finis to the Encores! current season, Where’s Charley? is a delightful, and yes, a charming choice.
(Pictured: Rob McClure and Howard McGillin. Photo by Joan Marcus)
Elizabeth Ahlfors
Cabaret Scenes
March 19, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org