Review: Come Say “Helloooooooo” to Mrs. Doubtfire
There are few actors in this world who are so beloved, so iconic, that they will forever be a permanent fixture in modern day pop culture. The late Robin Williams is at the top of this list, and his performance in the 1993 film Mrs. Doubtfire is just one of his many projects that firmly cemented his place in our hearts and our childhood.
Given the story’s now infamous role in film history, it is critical that the cast and crew of the new Mrs. Doubtfire musical do not disappoint. Fortunately, they don’t.
Directed by Jerry Zaks, the musical tells the story of Daniel Hillard (Rob McClure), a loving, if not scatterbrained, father in the midst of a divorce from his wife Miranda (Maggie Lakis) and a nasty custody battle for his beloved children. Unable to stand being away from them, Daniel enlists the help of his brother Frank (Aaron Kaburick) and Frank’s fabulous husband Andre (Nik Alexander) to come up with an elaborate plan. Together, they turn him into an old Scottish woman named Mrs. Doubtfire, who convinces Miranda to hire “her” as the children’s new nanny.
(L to R) Giselle Guiterrez (Lydia Hillard), Cody Braverman (Christopher Hillard), Emerson Mae Chan (Natalie Hillard), Maggie Lakis (Miranda Hillard), and Rob McClure (Euphegenia Doubtfire)
With a Robin Williams-sized shadow looming over him, McClure finds a way to make the role his own while still honoring the nanny we’ve come to love. His comedic timing and physicality are a perfect match for his spot-on impressions, giving the musical a modern twist with imitations of Kermit the Frog, Darth Vader, and a cheeky jab at James Bond (Pierce Brosnan starred in the original Mrs. Doubtfire film and later took over the role of 007 in the James Bond franchise). As we watch Daniel transform from bumbling, clumsy nanny to Mary Poppins perfect, McClure keeps audiences entertained with Mrs. Doubtfire’s most iconic moments, from her meringue pie facial to burning her fake breasts in the kitchen. Coupled with Daniel’s heartfelt moments and belty musical numbers like “I Want to Be There” and “Easy Peasy,” McClure’s performance is electric from start to finish.
(L to R) Leo Roberts (Stuart Dunmire) and Rob McClure (Euphegenia Doubtfire)
Lakis is another one giving her role a modern makeover, this time as a champion feminist clothing designer. In this version, Miranda designs workout gear for women of all shapes and sizes, culminating with a blowout showcase at her boyfriend Stuart’s (Leo Roberts) gym. The resulting number “The Shape of Things to Come” is a fabulous, over-the-top, aerobics-esque number about female empowerment. But it is Miranda’s number “Let Go” that finally gives Lakis a moment to shine. Her chemistry, vulnerability, and openness with Mrs. Doubtfire (who is played by her real-life husband McClure) creates a number that ebbs and flows with sweetness and passion as she pours out her secrets and pain.
On the flip side, Stuart also confides in Mrs. Doubtfire, only this time, it’s in a gym full of hunky men lifting weights. Rather than bringing that gentle touch, Mrs. Doubtfire is snarky and quippy, thanks to music and lyrics from Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick and a book from Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell. Their number “Big Fat No” finally gives Roberts a chance to show off a voice that is as silky smooth as his freshly pressed suit.
Of course, none of this matters when the Hillard children take the stage. Giselle Gutierrez is unstoppable as fierce big sister Lydia with enough attitude and passion to power the room in the children’s number “What the Hell” and her number “Just Pretend” with McClure. In this performance, the role of Christopher was played by Cody Braverman and Natalie was played by Emerson Mae Chan, who are both inexplicably precious and brim with talent, right down to their mastery of “broom-ography” in the wonderfully chaotic number “Playing with Fire.”
(L to R) Axel Bernard Rimmele (Christopher Hillard), Giselle Guiterrez (Lydia Hillard), Rob McClure (Euphegenia Doubtfire), and Kennedy Alexandra Pitney (Natalie Hillard)
As with any screen-to-stage adaptation, there are certain moments that must be, well, adapted. Fortunately, the technical team for Mrs. Doubtfire rose to the occasion, and somehow managed to create near-perfect replications of Mrs. Doubtfire’s most memorable moments. Daniel’s transformation scene (“Make Me a Woman”) was made infinitely better by the fabulous Frank and Andre (and Andre’s platform, knee-high, leather boots) while dancers took the stage dressed as Donna Summer, Paula Deen, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Julia Child (to name a few). Scenes like Daniel learning to cook, scurrying around as he desperately tried to be both Daniel and Mrs. Doubtfire at the same time, and mastering household tasks like vacuuming were all flawlessly executed, thanks to scenic designer David Korins, costume designer Catherine Zuber, lightning designer Philip S. Rosenberg, sound designers Brain Ronan and Craig Cassidy, and hair and wig designer David Brian Brown.
With enough cutesy charm to appeal to children and enough snark, hilarity, and one-liners to keep adults entertained, the production value of Mrs. Doubtfire is sky high and a reminder that a little childhood charm is always a good thing.
The production will run at the Durham Performing Arts Center through Sunday, March 24, 2024. This show contains some strong language. Parental discretion is advised. Not recommended for children under 8 years of age. Tickets can be purchased here.
Additional production photos can be found below. All photo credit to Joan Marcus
