Composer

:

Jerry Herman

Genre

:

Musical Theatre

Style

:

Musical Theater

Compose Date

:

1974

Average_duration

:

19:48

Mack & Mabel is a musical that was composed by Jerry Herman. The plot of the musical revolves around the tumultuous relationship between two Hollywood legends, Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand. The story is set in the early 20th century and follows the rise of Mack Sennett, a successful film director, and his discovery of Mabel Normand, a talented but troubled actress. The two fall in love, but their relationship is fraught with difficulties, including Mack's infidelity and Mabel's drug addiction. The musical was composed in 1974 and premiered on Broadway in 1975. It was directed and choreographed by Gower Champion and starred Robert Preston as Mack Sennett and Bernadette Peters as Mabel Normand. The show received mixed reviews and struggled at the box office, closing after only 66 performances. Despite its short run, Mack & Mabel has become a cult classic among musical theater fans. The score, composed by Jerry Herman, is considered one of his best, featuring such memorable songs as "Time Heals Everything," "I Won't Send Roses," and "Tap Your Troubles Away." The show also features elaborate dance numbers and comedic set pieces, including a famous pie fight scene. One of the defining characteristics of Mack & Mabel is its bittersweet tone. The show celebrates the golden age of Hollywood while also acknowledging the darker aspects of the industry, including the exploitation of young actresses and the toll that fame can take on a person's mental health. The show also explores themes of love, loss, and redemption, as Mack and Mabel struggle to reconcile their differences and find happiness together. Despite its initial failure, Mack & Mabel has been revived several times over the years, including a successful West End production in 1995 and a Broadway revival in 2006. The show's enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless themes and memorable score, and it remains a beloved classic of the musical theater canon.

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