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Mack & Mabel
Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Book by Michael Stewart
Directed and choreographed by Kevin Bellie
At Circle Theatre
7300 W. Madison Street
Forest Park, IL
Call 708-771-0700, tickets $24
Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 3 pm
Running time is 2 hours, 20 minutes with intermission
Through April 7, 2007
Overlooked Herman gem, Mack & Mabel sparkles through terrific dance numbers
Circle Theatre, under the talented duo of Kevin Bellie and Bob Knuth, have demonstrated a keen acumen for making failed Broadway musicals stage worthy. Add Mack & Mabel to that list. It is a fun, tuneful Jerry Herman score filled with terrific old-time slapstick comedy complete with those wild Keystone Kops and a score of beach bathing beauties in an ode to silent films. You’ll not find a finer choreographed non-Equity show than Mack & Mabel. Kevin Bellie sure has all cylinders going here in this bouncy, energetic musical featuring Jerry Herman’s personal favorite score. Peter J. Storm’s musical direction sounds terrific. The cast of 18 offers honest work with outstanding ensemble dancing and cute comedy business culminating with “Tap Your Troubles Away,” one of my favorite tap numbers. Brigitte Ditmars leads the tapers in a rousing, rhythmic show-stopper. We are treated to a fine collage of vintage silent films that visualizes Stennett’s work.
Mack & Mabel tells the true story of silent film genius, Mack Stennett, know as the father of slapstick film comedy and founder of the Keystone Kops and his life-long love affair with Mabel Norman, the pretty girl film comedian whose gaiety and spontaneous spirit established a new type of female comedian. The love story shows both Mack and Mabel’s ambition to raise to the top in Hollywood. Mack is a fanatical film maker. He loves Mabel but film making comes first thus allowing their love to suffer. Filled with excellent tunes like “Movies Were Movies,” “Big Time,” “I Won’t Send You Flowers,” and “Time Heals Everything,” Mack & Mabel is an entertainingly high energy ode to silent films. The period perfect Herman score allows ambitious dance and manic comedy bits. You’ll laugh and applaud this ensemble’s efforts. The “Hit ‘Em on the Head” has the Keystone Kops running wildly in a comic romp.
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Unfortunately Jon Steinhagen’s spunky Mack doesn’t totally ring true as his limited vocal abilities fails to deliver his heartwarming numbers. Steinhagen gives his all but I didn’t see the chemistry with Cat Davis’ Mabel. While this diminishes the show, it doesn’t stop us from liking the story and the stellar production.
Eric Lindal’s Frank Capra, Peter Rasey’s Fatty Arbuckle, Andy Baldeschwiler’s Taylor and Brigitte Ditmars’ Lottie added fine moments to this fun show. The several show-stoppers danced well despite a tad too many dancers on Circle’s intimate stage. Cat Davis lands the 11 O’clock number, “Time Heals Everything” and Jon Steinhagen’s sincerity eventually wins us in this tuneful musical love story. The dances were the highlight of this fine show. Kevin Bellie is a major choreographer. I’d love to see him work with seasoned Equity dancers.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date reviewed: February 28, 2007
Jeff Recommended
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