Mrs. Doubtfire nannies herself into the hearts of Cleveland and has large shoes to fill. When this musical first came to Broadway, everyone may have wondered how the show was going to take a classic movie and make it into a musical. Traditionally, a musical derived from a movie has to be little more over the top than the original. The 1993 original motion picture starred Robin Williams. How can anyone “over the top” the late, great actor that orginated such an iconic charater in flawless fashion? That unenviable task was assigned to Rob McClub (Danield Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire.
‘There were two things naturally missing from this show: the first, of course being Williams; the second is Aerosmith’s legendary track “Dude Looks Like a Lady” as the show’s (fitting and perfect) theme song). McClure was up to the task.
The theatrical production is closely based on the 1993 film. Protagonist Daniel Hillard would rather be a fun father than worry about his career or marriage. While being thrown into a divorce and looking for a new job, he wants to find an excuse and opportunity to be around his three children that he has limited parental rights to following his divorce
With the help of his hair stylist brother, Frank Hillard (Aaron Kaburick ) and make up artest brother-in-law Andre Mayem (Nik Alexander), he beautifully fakes the look and persona of a Scottish hop old lady to successfully deceive his ex-wive into hiring him (her?) to take care of the children and household.. This stage show is 70 parts comedy and 30 parts musical. The music and songs are the right amount for the story and how it plays out.
It’s immediately evident McClure runs the show. From the first time he is introduced to he audience as Daniel Hillard, he’s funny. Like the film, HIllard throws his son Christopher (Cody Braverman), a birthday party that is second to none. His eldest child, Lydia (Giselle Guiterrez), and youngest child, Natalie (Emerson Mae Chan) also are enjoying the forbidden party. That is until his soon-to-be ex-wife Miranda Hillard (Maggie Lakis) comes home with her small birthday cake. Not only was she completely outshined by the gesture but it directly went against her wishes. This is the final straw. Miranda tells Daniel that the marriage is over. McClure and Lakis talents shine from the beginning as their on-stage marriage ends every night, the actors’ real-life marriage to one another continues!
Now a single mom with primary custody of the children, Miranda Hillard finds difficult to balance the important aspects of her life. This is particularly difficult as her business is becoming more successful. This leads to the need for a nanny. With the audience having already learned that ex-husband is quite the impressionist and creator of characters, Daniel transforms himself into Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire, with a backstory that originates in Britain. Mrs. Doubtfire is a hit mother and children alike. Mrs. Doubtfire, becomes a member of the family. The trouble that Hillard/Doubtfire encounters is that not only does he need to be someone else around his children, but he also has to sit back and watch his ex-wife and her new love interest get closer before his eyes. Stu (Leo Roberts), even asks Mrs. Doubtfire for advice on his relationship with Miranda…AWKWARD!
Much like the film, everything culminates to a dinner that both Daniel Hillard and Mrs. Doubtfire have been invited to. Without giving away any spoilers, we do get to see and hear a flamenco dancer sing, “He Lied to Me.”
Other highlights include “The Shape of Things to Come,” and “Let Go.” McClure sometimes even had back-to-back songs while changing characters in between with, “It’s About Time,” and “I’m Rocking Now,” first by Daniel Hillard and then Mrs. Doubtfire, respectively.
The actors playing Daniel’s children were great, especially his son, Christopher who has to play a child that is anxious and stressed trying to keep a secret. Daniel’s brother and brother-in-law were hilarious while trying to help Daniel with this crazy plan. One scene depicts the brothers trying to cover for Daniel with his suspicious therapist (Jodi Kimura) during her home visits had the audience in stitches with laughter! Another funny role was Wanda Sellner (Romelda Teron Benjamin), who played the TV executive who accidentally caught Daniel performing his voice talents while alone in the studio.
The show is directed by Jerry Zaks, who recently directed his 26th Broadway production, and Music/Lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick.
Mrs. Doubtfire has a very unique standard and expectations set by its audiences McClure was tremendous however, his performance didn’t make anyone forget about the movie per se, but it was so well performed in its own way that he made the character his own rather than duplicating or competing with Williams.
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