Customer Reviews

Mack & Mabel (1974 Original Broadway Cast)

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For over 20 years I have tried to figure out why "Mack & Mabel", maybe Jerry Herman's best and most solid score, didn't work as a Broadway Musical. Now, reflecting on Broadway of the '70s, '80s & '90s I think I've finally figured it out. "Mack & Mabel" was way ahead of its time. It was a musical not about sweetness and light but about life as it really was for these two very talented people. The wonderful score utilized the vocal talents of all principle cast members to the fullest, advancing both character and story but leading to a less than happy ending. The original cast (Peters & Preston) were considered to be mismatched but based on the reality of the story they might actually have been the very best performers to cast. Certainly vocally no one could better sing the roles of the title characters than these two. The cast album is wonderful from the first note to the last. The album stands well alone for those who have never seen the show but holds even more wonder for those few of us who were a party to one of the 66 Broadway performances. While Jerry Herman has many terrific and successful shows under his belt (La Cage, Mame, Dear World, Hello Dolly, etc.) this, one of his least known, is long overdue for a revival and hopefully someone will find a way to make it a resounding success. Until the curtain rises again on "Mack & Mabel" enjoy this wonderful original Broadway cast album.

There was a lot riding on this 1974 offering from Jerry Herman (HELLO, DOLLY!, MAME). It closed after a meager 66 performances following blistering reviews and lukewarm responses from audiences. However, the score is one of Herman's most accomplished.

The story concerns silent-movie magnate Mack Sennett's romance with actress Mabel Normand. After some hefty make-up and break-up incidents, the two characters eventually discover just how much they mean to each other, but only at the 11th hour.

Robert Preston and Bernadette Peters play Mack and Mabel, and I can't think of anyone else (at that time) who could have played them as perfectly as these two do. Peters' kewpie-doll looks perfectly suit the era in which the story is set, and she sings her songs with a verve and youthful passion that is irresistible. Preston colors his character with the sly, sardonic manner that has become his trademark. No-one will ever sing "I Won't Send Roses" as Preston did (and Peters' reprise of the song is hilarious and quite affecting, too).

Lisa Kirk (the original Lois/Bianca in KISS ME KATE) is put to good use in two wonderful numbers, while the ensemble cast are superb.

If you have yet to discover this perfect score, this original 1974 cast album is the best place to start.

It is a shame that this show apparently cannot work on stage because of a weak book and the difficulties of trying to recreate the classic silent films of the era of impresario Mack Sennett and star comic Mabel Normand. For Jerry Herman's score for "Mack and Mabel" is really wonderful. From the familiar Herman pazazz of "Look What Happened to Mabel" or "Big Time" to the darker disillusionment of "Movies Were Movies" and hopeless heartbreak of "Time Heals Everything" to the obligatory but still wonderful paean to the star diva, "When Mabel Comes In the Room," Herman offers a nearly bottomless bag of endless entertainment. Long a favorite of theatre fans, if only it were as widely embraced as his scores for "Mame" and "Hello, Dolly!"

It helps that a terrific group of performers are on hand to sing Herman's songs on this original cast recording. As the tough, single-minded Mack Sennett, Robert Preston doesn't have many oppurtunities to display the legendary bravado of Harold Hill and other performances, and he is unfortunately saddled with several of the weaker songs in the score, but he scores mightily with the haunting "I Won't Send Roses" and remains as memorable as ever throughout. As Mabel Normand, "the kid from the deli" whom he turns, in Svengali fashion, into a great silent-film comic, Bernadette Peters registers a bit more strongly because she has a more consistently great group of songs. Not counting her supporting role in "George M!" and the lead in the one-nighter "La Strada", this is her first major Broadway role, and she is wonderful whether exulting in her good fortune in "Look What Happened to Mabel," brushing off Mack's warnings with "So Who Needs Roses?", spitting out her anger towards him in "Wherever He Ain't" (Probably her best moment), or wondering at the depth of her love for him in "Time Heals Everything." Lisa Kirk (Best known for Cole Porter's "Kiss Me Kate" and Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Allegro") appears as one of Mack's other stars, and is a delight belting out her two big songs, "Big Time" and (especially) "Tap Your Troubles Away" (WAY-aaaaaayyyyy!..."). Though I would prefer a more understated accompaniement to "Time Heals Everything," otherwise the orchestrations by Philip J. Lang and musical direction by Donald Pippin are right on the money.

Though "Mack and Mabel" did not survive long on Broadway, and apparently may never survive for long everywhere because of its flaws as a show, it is our great fortune that it left behind this wonderful cast recording, allowing us to treasure Jerry Herman's score and this cast's performances for many years to come.

From what I understand, this show just doesn't work for a variaety of reasons. Well, the score is not one of those reasons. This is one of the best scores to coem out of the seventies, and definatly one of Herman's best, it not his best ever. One of the things this score has that many lack is atmosphere. These songs actually sound like music from the 20's and 30's; Herman didn't cop out and write a score of 70's pop because he thought it would sell more. Bravo Jerry. The other thing that makes this CD great is the cast. Peters and Preston give star performances in every, positive, sense of the word. Lisa Kirk, an unfortunatly often overlooked performer, does well in her rousing numbers "Big Time" and "Tap Your Troubles Away." GEt this CD

One day I went to the store to purchase the Cd "Me and My Girl". It was not there so I Purused the "m" section some more. I found this, and now in hindsight I am exremely happy with my purchase. Not only is the score dud-free and virtually flawless, it is one of broadway's crowning scores. Had the book not clashed with the score, everyone would be humming these tunes. Herman chose the perfect era to use his signature brassy style of music. In fact, while he has created some serious pieces, the song "I want to make the world laugh" could be his theme song. The stars are great. Peters and Preston made the perfect pair as the idealist and the romanticist. The supporting cast is great too, but sometimes their accents gets in the way of their diction. Lisa Kirk shines in her two songs. Anyone who has a theater collection should have this in it. Do not miss it.

Shame this show wasn't a hit. Anyone who loves history, silent films and great music would love this show. Full of exuberant passion; the show as well as Herman's great score itself captures the era picture perfect. (From toe-tapping to heart-wrenching, and everything in between - BRAVO.) Tour de force for Robert Preston & made Bernadette a legend - a voice from heaven, she hooks you into her soul and your spellbound. What an awesome tribute to the good ol' days and the silent film greats who paved the way for films today. A MUST Hear. :-)

Many people consider this Jerry Herman's unjustly neglected masterpiece, pointing to such beautiful ballads as "I Won't Send Roses" and "Time Heals Everything," and to the terrifically upbeat "Look What Happened to Mabel" (one of the best songs Herman ever wrote). However, despite those terrific songs, and despite such other gems as Peters's "Wherever He Ain't" and Lisa Kirk's "Big Time," the score is also marred by some real ghastly oddities: "Tap Your Troubles Away" and "Hundreds of Girls," for example, have some of the worst lyrics ever written for a Broadway show. And the book and story were certainly disastrous. But who cares? Avoid the dogs on this CD and just listen to the better songs--it's a real treat.

It is a shame that this musical was a flop on Broadway (but so was Chicago the first time!). This has some of the best work by Mr. Herman. Witty lyrics and hummable melodies. Preston and Peters shine together. The "Roses" counterpoint is extremely clever. The music was probably better than the show itself - it happens. It deserves many repeat listenings and lip-synchings.

One night in July of 2007 I was in the Rum Room of the Edison Hotel having a nightcap. A man went over to the woman who plays and sings (beautifully) in the bar most nights. He sang the poignant song "Time Heals Everything."
As he returned to his seat, I asked him if it was a Sondheim song. He said no, it was from Jerry Herman's "Mack and Mabel." When I listened to the CD later, I realized how good the score is. The orchestrations are very well done, and Herman's music is melodious and memorable. He works in the shadow of Sondheim yet much of his music is more satisfying melodically and emotionally. And more accessible to the average listener though I still love Sondheim.
Mack Sennett the man who made the silent film slapstick comedies for Keystone featured his girlfriend the actress Mabel Normand in some of his films. In the musical Robert Preston and Bernadette Peters played Mack and Mabel. Some of the other songs, "I Won't Send You Roses", "Movies Were Movies", "Big Time", and "My Heart Leaps Up" have become standards. The lyrics in most of the songs are clever and strengthen the plot or book of the show.
It's never been a wildly popular musical, but the music is quite good. There's nothing wrong with being a tuneful and hummable composer. This is a CD that can stand on its own for listening even if you've never seen the show.

This show probably represents Jerry Herman's best work, even though (heartbreakingly) MACK AND MABEL wasn't a success in Broadway. There are a few weak songs ("Hundreds of Girls," for example), but otherwise the score is marvelous, and offers two beautiful songs which have since become cabaret standards: Mack Sennett's "I Won't Send Roses" and Mabel Normand's lovely melancholy "Time Heals Everything."

Robert Preston is very fine as Mack Sennett, but the show's real sensation is Bernadette Peters as Mabel Normand. This was the role that first got her really noticed, and she's astonishing in all the many and very differing songs Mabel gets to sing--including my own favorite song from the show, the marvelously exuberant "Look What Happened to Mabel." Lisa Kirk, the original Lois Lane from KISS ME KATE, is also a knockout in her big number, "Big Time."