Californian Herman, the musical's composer and lyricist, attended a matinee performance at the Festival Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. He popped in backstage after the show.

After seeing The Shaw production and meeting its creative team, Herman stated, "This is what it should have been when it opened on Broadway. What a pleasure for me to see my Mack and Mabel performed by such a stellar cast and to meet everyone involved with such a first-class production."

Herman is a Broadway show-tune legend whose credits as a composer include the musicals Hello, Dolly!; Mame; and La Cage aux Folles. He has called the score for Mack and Mabel (1974) his personal favorite.

The book for Mack and Mabel — about the silent-screen stars Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand — was written by Michael Stewart and revised by Francine Pascal.

The Shaw revival, directed by Molly Smith, continues in rep at the festival through October. For more information, visit www.shawfest.com.