Mack & Mabel
by Michael Stewart, Leonard Spigelgass, Jerry Herman

Name: Mack & Mabel
Brand: Michael Stewart
SKU: 9780573680748
Rating: 2.82 (11 reviews)

Mack & Mabel Book Cover — Mack & Mabel Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

120 mins 1930s Room for Extras Unit Set/Multiple Settings Period Costumes

Awards & Recognition

Evening Standard Award Tony Award

Nominee: Eight 1975 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Winner! 1995 Evening Standard Award, Best Musical

Synopsis

This is a saga of the silent film era, “when movies were movies”: the story of legendary director Mack Sennett and his greatest star, the adorable Mabel Normand.

Mack himself guides the audience through his tale of triumph, romance and regret.

Bankrupted by the talkies and forced to sell his studio, Mack reminisces about his colorful past, including his bittersweet love affair with Mabel, whom he had discovered and guided to superstardom.

Jerry Herman's celebrated score includes some of his most treasured gems, including “Time Heals Everything,” “I Won't Send Roses,” “Wherever He Ain't” and “Look What Happened to Mabel.”

Now available in a revised version that contains changes made for the London revival, which won the Evening Standard 's coveted Drama Award for Best Musical.

Press Reviews

"Mr. Herman has the common touch, a gift for melodies familiar and memorable... A musical in the old and true tradition."
— The New York Times

"Herman’s score... has such an embracing loveliness that it trails you right out the door post-show, its romance buoying you like a gentle tide through the Midtown streets."
— The New York Times

"It’s heaven... a musical that has all the right elements—a fascinating true story set in a rich milieu, a bounty of complicated characters, and a score that is among the best in musical theatre history."
— Stage Left

"[A] magnificent score... A bright musical comedy tinged with layers of sadness, regret and loss."
— AM New York

"Irresistably entertaining... One should cherish the warmth of spirit... reflected in Herman's characteristically lush score and charming lyrics."
— AM New York

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Mabel Normand A deli delivery girl who becomes a movie star, mezzo-soprano	—	—	A deli delivery girl who becomes a movie star, mezzo-soprano
Frank Wyman An actor/writer and later a director, baritone	—	—	An actor/writer and later a director, baritone
Lottie Ames A silent movie star, mezzo-soprano	—	—	A silent movie star, mezzo-soprano
William Desmond Taylor A "serious" director and rival for both Mabel's acting talents and her affections	female	—	A "serious" director and rival for both Mabel's acting talents and her affections
Mr. Kleiman An accountant	—	—	An accountant
Eddie Kleiman's partner	—	—	Kleiman's partner
Ella A piano player	—	—	A piano player
Fred A silent film actorEnsemble and small features	—	—	A silent film actorEnsemble and small features
Mack Sennett A workaholic movie director, baritone	—	—	A workaholic movie director, baritone