Show Synopsis:
Mack Sennett, a silent movie director, reminisces about the era of the silent film while talkies are taking prominence in the cinema. He flashes back to when he discovered the silent film star Mabel Normand and she fell in love with him. Although they sleep together, Mack is hesitant to enter a relationship with her. Mabel wants to do more serious films and argues with Mack over offers from another director, William Desmond Taylor. Mabel returns to Mack's studio and he agrees to produce a serious film for her, but finds it is difficult to create something that is not funny. Mabel returns to Taylor, who persuades her to use heroine to forget her problems, and her reputation is slowly ruined. Mack discovers movies with sound and starts to create another star out of the young Lottie. Taylor is murdered, Mabel is the prime suspect, and Mack wants to reconcile with her, but Mabel dies. Mack imagines a happier ending for the audience.
Character:
Mabel Normand, a young deli delivery girl; firey and stubborn.
Song Context:
Mabel is hesitant to become the silent movie actress Mack is envisioning she will be, but begins to think that her career prospects might be better with him.
Fun Facts:
1. The plot of this musical was based on the real-life relationship between Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand.
2. The real Mabel Normand was not a waitress when she met Mack like she is in the musical, but was instead an actor's model.
3. Bernadette Peters originated the role of Mabel and was nominated for a Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for her performance.
"Miss waitress from Flatbush, get down from up there.
Don't you know that you're out of your class.
Miss waitress from Flatbush, I hope you're aware
You're behaving like some little ass.
Hey, miss,
What's this?
See that fascinating creature
With perfection stamped on ev'ry feature.
She was plain little Nellie,
The kid from the deli,
But Mother of God, look what happened to Mabel!
From now on this pile of flesh'll
Be considered somethin' pretty special
And Miss B. L. T. Down
Is the toast of the town.
Mary and Joseph, what happened to Mabel!
Ev'ry gesture and position that she takes
Is smart and meticulous.
Talk about the magic that the camera makes
But this is ridiculous!
Hold your tongue and hold your snickers
For the new enchantress of the flickers
Is that plain little Nellie,
The kid from the deli,
So rattle me beads.
Look what happened to Mabel!
Someone who was plain as mutton
On the screen is cuter than a button
And the girl with the pickles
Who hustled for nickels
Is somethin' to see. Look what happened to Mabel!
Yesterday a tip collector
But today, just turn on that projector
And Miss Avenue R
Is a regular star.
Holy Mother Machree, look what happened to Mabel!
Up to now I really never knew that I
Could be so ambitious
But suddenly I know I have to say goodbye
To bagels and knishes.
I know that you might think I'm balmy
But the queen of the corned beef and salami
Is a glamorous goddess
Who's bustin' her bodice!
Oh! Jumpin' St Jude!
Look what happened to Mabel!
See that fascinating creature
With perfection stamped on ev'ry feature.
She was plain little Nellie,
The kid from the deli,
But Mother Of God, look what happened To Mabel!
Someone who was plain as mutton
On the screen is cuter than a button,
And the girl with the pickles
Who hustled for nickels
Is something to see. Look what happened to Mabel!
Every gesture and position that she takes
Is smart and meticulous.
Talk about the magic that the camera makes
But this is ridiculous.
Hold your tongue and hold your snickers
For the new enchantress of the flickers
Is that plain little Nellie,
The kid from the deli,
So rattle me beads
Look what happened to
Mabel!"