Mrs. Doubtfire • September 10, 2024 • Eccles Theater
Reviewed by Alisha Gregson
Photos
It has been 30 years since the release of the classic movie “Mrs. Doubtfire.” Like most people who were raised in the 90s, I grew up watching the film. It was undoubtedly Robin Williams’ performance as the eccentric Scottish nanny that made the movie such a hit. I had been looking forward to seeing the production, but I admit, I had somewhat low expectations. Robin Williams was one of a kind, and I wondered how anyone else could fill the role. I was also curious about how the addition of musical numbers would affect the storyline. On Tuesday, September 10th, I had the opportunity to see for myself.
I was surprised with how delightful the new musical comedy was, as I found myself genuinely laughing throughout the night. Under the direction of 4-time Tony award-winning Jerry Zaks, the high-energy production has successfully won over audiences over the last few years. With the book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, the plot stayed fairly close to a modernized version of the 1993 film. The inclusion of many memorable scenes, like the whipped cream pie face mask, and Mrs. Doubtfire using pot lids to put out the flames when her fake rubber chest catches on fire, brought the feeling of nostalgia I was hoping for.
The cast of Mrs. Doubtfire the Musical did an exceptional job in their perspective roles. Many of the main characters stayed true to the original film, while others were completely reimagined.
Robin Williams’ legacy may have set the bar impossibly high, but the amazingly talented Rob McClure did not disappoint. The show began with McClure, center stage, asking the audience to silence their phones. At first, I thought it was interesting to have someone addressing the audience with this request instead of announcing it off stage before like usual. As McClure continued and started into character voices, I quickly realized this was their clever way to open the show.
Playing Daniel Hillard, McClure put on an incredible performance that captivated the audience from the very beginning. His voices and impressions stole the show and made him the perfect actor for the role. While his comedic talent stood out, he was able to bring so much more than that with his emotional portrayal of the devoted father willing to do anything to spend more time with his kids. His ability to transition so quickly into the Mrs. Doubtfire character was very impressive, with most of the physical transformations happening on stage.
Catherine Brunell playing Miranda Hillard stole the spotlight with her incredible vocals during her solo song “Let Go.” As soon as she finished the song I found myself wishing we could hear more from her. Giselle Gutierrez who played the oldest daughter Lydia Hillard was another standout singer. Her acting as the angsty teenager was also phenomenal. The two youngest kids, Christopher and Natalie Hillard, are played by different actors every other performance. On the night I attended, the two were played by Sam Bird and Charlotte Sydney Harrington. They both did an excellent job.
Aaron Kaburick played Daniel’s brother Frank, and Marquez Linder played Frank’s boyfriend Andre. The couple who are responsible for transforming Daniel into Mrs. Doubtfire appear far more in the musical than they did in the movie, and the inclusion of their characters was one of my favorite additions. Their characters were hilarious and brought a fun energy to the show.
While I think Mrs. Doubtfire would be just as successful as a play, the new musical numbers did add an exciting energy. With music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick, I enjoyed many of the songs, especially the ones performed with the ensemble. I was not expecting to hear the emotional ballads that were included. “I Want to Be There,” “Let Go,” and “Just Pretend” were a few of the songs that added some depth to the characters and storyline as they addressed the pain that accompanies divorce.
There was more of a focus on the effects of divorce than I anticipated, but seeing that side of the story did help make the eccentric plot of Daniel’s desperate attempts to see his kids more meaningful. Accompanied by Choreography by Lorin Latarro, the more comedic numbers like, “Make Me a Woman,” “Easy Peasy,” and “Big Fat No,” were very entertaining. Although I enjoyed the songs, I realized as I left the theater that I couldn’t recall the chorus of a single song. With most musicals, I usually have a couple of the songs stuck in my head for a couple of days. With this production, while the music was a lot of fun, I wouldn’t say it was the highlight of the show.
The set design for the show was simple but effective. Many of the scenes consisted of only a location displayed on a digital background, while others had a more elaborate setup. The costumes were also well done, and of course, the Mrs. Doubtfire costume was especially impressive.
Overall, Mrs. Doubtfire the musical is a delightful and entertaining production that is fun for all ages. The show is packed with talent and will keep you laughing the whole time. Whether you grew up loving the movie or not, it’s very enjoyable and I would recommend seeing it if you get the chance.
Mrs. Doubtfire is at the Eccles Theater until September 15. For ticket availability and information, click here.