Mack & Mabel — Page 2

"Interesting. I used to perform that song, and it never occurred to me that 'pile of flesh' couldn't refer to absolutely anyone. Aren't we all a pile of flesh, whether 90 lbs. or 200?"

Absolutely. In his biography KING OF COMEDY, Mack Sennett describes Mabel Normand as "barely five feet tall and never...more than ninety-nine pounds." Which rules out inappropriate choices like Sara Ramirez (!) and Emily Skinner (!!).

It has a wonderful score (and the OCR is pure delight) but ....
It is the wrong score to tell that dark, tragic story.

When you listen to it it conjures images of fun, frivolity and lavish production numbers. But that is not what the story is about. She wants him to love her...and he can't. (Interestingly, B.Peters did the same basic story 10 years later in SUNDAY IN THE PARK. In that case the score and story fit together.)

Though the lighter numbers can be used as ironic counterpoint (most effective in "Tap Your Troubles Away") but most of the time the songs don't advance the plot or develop characters. I would suggest keeping: "Movies Were Movies", "I Won't Send Roses", "Wherever He Ain't", "Time Heals Everything", "Tap Your Troubles Away" and "I Promise You a Happy Ending." The other songs - as wonderful as they are as songs - don't work and need to be replaced. And the book needs to develop the story so that we care more about Mack and Mabel.

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Unfortunately, this show will never work. Gower Champion publicly
expressed frustration over trying to recreate silent movies. The love story in the book never worked either. However, as you all know, the score is great. Even the Overture is unforgettable.

My mom saw it opening night - said a set piece fell down.

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