WHERE's CHARLEY at Encores

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/18/11 at 8:46am

Caught this last night and am still grinning about it - probably one of the slightest, silliest musicals ever crafted by some of the great luminaries of the musical theatre, it truly is a perfect show for Encores.

Things I especially loved:

The score! Filled with obscure Frank Loesser gems. You've no doubt heard "Once in Love with Amy" and maybe even Doris Day's version of "My Darling," but doubtful the clever "Make a Miracle" or the gorgeous "Lovlier than Ever." Hearing Rebecca Luker and Howard McGillan duet? Heaven on hearth.

A charming cast headed by Rob McClure and Lauren Worsham - (both new discoveries to me). McClure may not be quite the effortless song and dance man Ray Bolger was but he's clearly having a ball and Worsham's voice is spectacular.

The choreography! Real star of the show for me was Alex Sanchez who gives Encores some of the best dance work its seen in many seasons. Super fun, super clever (and speaking of - any musical that features a completely out of left field dream ballet set in Brazil (where the nuts come from) is a-ok in my book!).

It comes up every time a show hits Encores, but yes, this really should be recorded. WHERE'S CHARLEY was famously not recorded by its original cast due to a strike during the 1948-49 season and is only available for hearing from the substandard London cast recording and an out of print film soundtrack.

The film hasn't been seen since the 70s (supposedly due to Jo Sullivan's dislike of it - though I'm not sure I buy that).

If WHERE'S CHARLEY isn't likely to be headed back to major revival anytime soon, it really does deserve to be better known than it is.






Updated On: 3/18/11 at 08:46 AM

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 3/18/11 at 9:30am

I'm going to tomorrow's matinee and am very excited to see it!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/18/11 at 9:44am

So happy to hear that! Seeing it tonight and I'm so excited!

[mamaleh]

Posted: 3/18/11 at 10:20am

While not of GUYS AND DOLLS quality, the score is still melodic and charmingly old-fashioned. I thought Rob McClure was delightful. He sang well and danced nimbly. I was happy to see they kept the "Once in Love with Amy" sing-along. For a concert staging, it had intricate choreography and bright, colorful costumes, especially in the "Pernambuco" and "New Ashmolean Marching Society and Students' Conservatory Band" number. How great to hear once again that latter jaunty tune.

I don't think the London cast recording is below standard, though. That's the one I've heard over the years. Norman Wisdom just leaps out with amiability on that recording. (As an adolescent I was fortunate enough to catch him on Broadway in WALKING HAPPY--which Encores! should do one day.)

WHERE'S CHARLEY is light fun. I'm glad I went. I'd love to see the movie someday.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/18/11 at 10:23am

By substandard I really was referring to the sound quality/cuts in the score on the London recording. The performances are fine, really, though of course its a shame we don't have a record of Bolger doing it with the original cast.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 3/18/11 at 12:05pm

Bolger's Decca single of "Once in love with Amy" backed by "Make a Miracle" is included in the Decca/MCA box set Front Row Center (unrelated to me or my radio program...Max Preeo put the set together in the late 1990s, but it didn't sell well which gave MCA marketing execs an excuse to not issue any more older cast albums on CD. (Lucky for us Brian Druteman came along and did so anyway!)

[Morgaine885]

Posted: 3/18/11 at 12:19pm

Glad to hear this!

How's Sebastian Arcelus? How long is the show?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/18/11 at 12:33pm

The show is quick - less than 2 hours with intermission. Sebastian Arcellus does a nice job - his character is probably the least interesting in the entire show but he sings well and supports McClure aptly.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 3/18/11 at 12:57pm

I saw the dress rehearsal and I'm still humming those tunes (most of which were completely unfamiliar to me). I think John Doyle and Alex Sanchez did a fantastic job.

[jv92]

Posted: 3/18/11 at 4:46pm

I'm hoping for a recording. It wouldn't be a vanity--- well, yes it would. Any cast album these days are vanity projects. But it wouldn't be a huge vanity as there is no American cast recording out there of a charming Loesser score.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/19/11 at 12:21am

An incredibly light touch is required.

Even Ray Bolger himself lost the light touch when he hid the film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puvavzSbgS0

My parents saw him do it on their honeymoon--along with the original Kiss Me, Kate and TS Eliot's The Cocktail Party (not a good "date" play)--they talked for years about how infectious it was when he said "I'm so happy I want EVERYBODY to sing about it!" And they did.

But in that clip from the charmless movie, you don't.

[Q]

Posted: 3/19/11 at 10:19am

Isherwood loved it.
NYTimes review.

[Contributor]

Posted: 3/19/11 at 11:46am

If you liked Rob McClure, check out this interview BroadwayWorld did with him two years ago.
McClure

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 3/19/11 at 7:41pm

Saw the matinee today and I have to echo what everyone else has already said. The show was just delightful, and I'm stilling smiling and singing "Once In Love With Amy." I really hope to see Rob McClure and Lauren Worsham again, as I found both of them to be just wonderful.

I also stayed for the talkback, which was pretty interesting and amusing. Jo Sullivan Loesser was there and talked about the show and her husband. She spoke so sweetly about his dedication to writing music and encouraging other young composers. It was really great to have her there.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/19/11 at 11:45pm

I saw the performance tonight and am stilling grinning from ear to ear! I really, really loved this.

Michael Bennett expressed many of my thoughts, and I absolutely agree about Alex Sanchez being the star of the production, but I must amend that this isn't just the best choreography Encores has seen, but that New York theater in general has seen in a while. No gratuitous gymnastics across the stage. No unnecessary movements. Instead Sanchez actually used dance to tell a story! I was simply giddy during the "New Ashmolean Marching Society and Students' Conservatory Band" (my new favorite song title) dance break. It was marvelous, funny and advanced the song along. Also the aforementioned dream ballet was a delight. Truly the man deserves all the praise he can get.

As far as the cast goes, the voices were luminous and it was clear that everyone is having a ball onstage. How do Luker and McGillin make it seem so easy? I think Rob McClure is giving a star turn, and Lauren Worsham (why couldn't she have played Anne in the Night Music revival?!) has a killer voice. Arcelus and Paice blended well, and personally I don't think Paice has ever sounded better.

Most importantly I want to echo the sentiment that this needs to be recorded. I know we all kind of say this after (nearly) every Encores, but this is an instance where it's really true.

Givesmevoice- As I've stated before here my favorite musical of all time is The Most Happy Fella, and I'm so sad I didn't go to the matinee and missed Jo Sullivan Loesser. I'm so glad she endeared herself to you!

Updated On: 3/20/11 at 11:45 PM

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 12:14am

I completely forgot that someone at the talkback asked about the film and why it was never released. Mrs. Loesser said that the picture and sound were being restored and a DVD would be released. [She said next month, but that seemed strange to me. Has there been any buzz about that?]

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 3/20/11 at 12:41am

I was also at the matinee and I have to echo everyone else here, I loved it! The whole cast was really strong and the choreography and direction were great. The score is also lovely...I had never heard any of it before except for "Once in Love With Amy" but there are some great gems in there. I really hope they get a recording...the score is too wonderful to not have a full recording in existence.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 3/21/11 at 12:03pm

I just wanted to bump this thread to say that it's been two days and I'm still smiling to myself about the show and singing bits of the songs to myself. Now I really wish it had been recorded.

[eponine88]

Posted: 3/21/11 at 3:20pm

I saw last night's performance and it definitely lived up to all of the positive reviews I've read. It was really just a delightful, charming night at the theater. Rob McClure was simply fantastic as Charley. And I'm still singing all the songs today! Oh, and last night after the show Mrs. Loesser mentioned that she and the City Center people would be meeting today to discuss making a recording. Fingers crossed!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/21/11 at 3:26pm

After reading this thread, I'm kind of sorry I didn't see Where's Charley instead as opposed to another show I saw Saturday afternoon.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 3/21/11 at 3:43pm

And I'm still singing all the songs today! Oh, and last night after the show Mrs. Loesser mentioned that she and the City Center people would be meeting today to discuss making a recording. Fingers crossed!

That would be wonderful!

[marknyc]

Posted: 4/15/11 at 4:51pm

"Mrs. Loesser said that the picture and sound were being restored and a DVD would be released. [She said next month, but that seemed strange to me. Has there been any buzz about that?]"

The official word is that no release is scheduled, but that the Estate is talking with Warner Bros. about the possibility.