Ah, spring seems to have finally sprung. Temperatures are up – prodding the birds to sing, lawnmowers to roar back to life…toes to tap? Well, tapping they are, on the stage of The Players Club of Swarthmore Theater – where they’re closing out their season with Jerry Herman’s boisterous musical, Mack & Mabel.

It’s loosely based on the tumultuous relationship between movie mogul, Mack Sennett and one of his biggest stars, Mabel Normand. The show is set in the era of silent film, the Keystone Kops and a Hollywood that was larger than life. The score is brimming over with hummable tunes – in fact, Herman (who is most famous for Hello, Dolly!, Mame and La Cage aux Folles) considers it his best work.

Veteran Players Club of Swarthmore director Dennis Bloh (East Noritton) brings this bygone era to the stage with a mixed group of Players Club regulars and fresh faces. In the title roles are Robert Welch (Wilmington, DE) and Abby Shunskis (Upper Darby). They are supported by Donna Dougherty (West Chester), Kevin Dietzler (Upper Darby), Brian Walsh (Drexel Hill), Ashley Richardson (Swarthmore), Matthew Josbena (Wallingford), and Daniel Callahan and Bob Dimond (both from Media).

On Friday, April 24th, Qdoba Mexican Grill is bringing a FREE pre-show meal to The Players Club. At 6:30 pm, audience members are invited to bring their own favorite beverage and gather upstairs in the Raymond W. Smith Theater (also known as Second Stage) for a Tex-Mex spread. Reservations for the dinner can be made by mentioning the promotion code DINNER when reserving seats for the April 24th performance. See below for details on reserving seats.

Mack & Mabel runs April 23-26, April 30-May 3 and May 7-9. Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances are at 8pm and Saturday and Sunday matinées are at 2pm. The Players Club of Swarthmore Theater is located just minutes from the Blue Route and I-95 at 614 Fairview Avenue in Swarthmore. Tickets are $22 for adults and $10 for students (18 and under or college students with ID). All tickets and ticket packages are available at the box office, or may be purchased in advance by visiting www.pcstheater.org or calling 1-866-811-4111 (ticket sales through TheaterMania). For Info or Group Sales: 610-328-4271.