Mrs. Doubtfire - Length?

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 6/28/21 at 2:46am

Does anyone know (or remember) how long MRS. DOUBTFIRE runs? I am seeing a 3PM Sunday performance of it at the Sondheim, and I'm wondering if can I make it to a 6:00 PM evening performance of SIX at the Brooks Atkinson without too much running? LOL! Thanks!

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 6/28/21 at 3:11am

Just in general terms a musical like that will be 2.5hrs with intermission. They are relatively close with some fast walking. 
 

but I’d say it’s a too close and wouldn’t recommend it. You’d have to run out of their before the curtain call and rush to get to Six. 
 

Also note most shows start 10-15 min late. 

Updated On: 6/28/21 at 03:11 AM

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 6/28/21 at 11:48am

Telecharge is saying it's 2 hrs. and 35 mins. However, there were only a few previews before the shutdown and new musicals regularly have things cut, added or both during previews (plus I'm sure during the 18-month pause in performances) so that may end up being inaccurate.  If it really is 2:35, you should be able to run down to the Atkinson, although it will be cutting it close.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 6/28/21 at 11:52am

The show is now being branded as Doubtfire. According to their official website, it lasts 2 hours and 35 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission. From my experience, B'way shows usually start 5 minutes late barring a setback of some kind, and who knows how late they will now start post-COVID. 

As SouthernCakes explains, you're cutting it too close. See SIX another day.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/28/21 at 11:53am

Also, the musical is now titled DOUBTFIRE. They stopped using MRS. DOUBTFIRE months ago.

[MattieIce2018]

Posted: 6/28/21 at 11:54am

I saw the last preview before the pandemic - I believe it ran around 2:40 including intermission. I know that Act 1 was about an hour and 20 minutes. I was back at my hotel (the name is escaping me but it was near the Walter Kerr) by 11:00 from an 8:00 curtain.

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 6/28/21 at 12:13pm

20 minutes is definitely enough time to walk from the Sondheim to the Atkinson (which you would have if it's a 2 hr. 35 min. show that starts 5 mins. late).  But again, there's no guarantee that ends up being the actual run time.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 6/28/21 at 12:17pm

I don't think SouthernCakes is QUITE correct in saying that most Broadway shows start 10-15 late. Traditionally it's 5 minutes, but I have noticed in recent years that it's been creeping up toward 7-10 minutes. 15 minutes is more extreme for a Broadway show, though not unheard of. BUT it's important to note: once a show gets into their regular rhythm for the run, they will usually begin including regular curtain holds into the estimated run time. 

In any case, I think you probably CAN make this work, it's just a question of how much you're willing to put yourself through the stress of it. Even if Doubtfire lets out at 5:50 (which would be very late), you could still make it to the Brooks Atkinson on time, and you could do it by walking at a brisk pace, without even having to run. But there's little margin for error in case something goes wrong. I would recommend wearing a watch, and having a snack on hand! Also consider: will you enjoy the last few minutes of Mrs Doubtfire if your mind is elsewhere? Or the first few minutes of Six, if you're still catching your breath? And if not, is it still worth it? 

These are questions you have to ask yourself,  but personally, I think it's probably worth it. I know how it is on these theatre-binge trips, and in general I go by the principle of: if you have an opportunity to see more shows, do it. When you look back on this trip, are you more likely to regret not seeing Six? Or are you more likely to regret having to spend 10 minutes rushing from one theatre to another? 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 6/28/21 at 2:22pm

SouthernCakes said: "Maybe just excuse yourself to the back of the theater during the finale number so you can rush out of there."

 

Oh yeah - depending on where you're sitting, this is also something I'd highly recommend - except I'd say it's better do do this during curtain call rather than the final number. I have, on many occasions, stood at the back of the orchestra during curtain call and applauded from there, so that I could bolt out the door as soon as the lights came up. It's not so much that you need that extra time, but rather, you're trying to avoid getting caught in the bottleneck of people all exiting at the same time, which could easily be a deal-breaker for you in a case like this. 

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 6/28/21 at 3:13pm

Pre-covid, I'd say you're fine. Right now, not sure. We do not know what the protocol for arriving/departing at theaters will be in the fall. It may be complicated. It may take more time.