(MRS.) DOUBTFIRE Reviews

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 1:56pm

(The thread title is not meant to be facetious.) Just wanna make that clear! haha.

Mrs. Doubtfire is rockin' now! The new musical officially opens December 5 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, following a preview period that began October 21. 

Tony nominee Rob McClure stars as divorced dad Daniel Hillard and his alter ego, the Scottish nanny Mrs. Doubtfire, in the musical based on the 1993 film of the same name. 

The cast also includes Jenn Gambatese as Miranda Hillard, Peter Bartlett as Mr. Jolly, Charity Angél Dawson as Wanda Sellner, Mark Evans as Stuart Dunmire, J. Harrison Ghee as Andre Mayem, Analise Scarpaci as Lydia Hillard, Jake Ryan Flynn as Christopher Hillard, Avery Sell as Natalie Hillard and Brad Oscar as Frank Hillard.'

Rounding out the ensemble are Cameron Adams, Calvin L. Cooper, Kaleigh Cronin, Maria Dalanno, Casey Garvin, David Hibbard, KJ Hippensteel, Aaron Kaburick, Jodi Kimura, Erica Mansfield, Brian Martin, Alexandra Matteo, Sam Middleton, LaQuet Sharnell Pringle, Akilah Sailers, Jaquez André Sims, Addison Takefman, Travis Waldschmidt and Aléna Watters.

The new musical comedy features a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell and music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick, the Tony-nominated team behind Something Rotten!.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 6:34pm

I’m expecting mixed to negative reviews for this one, with universal praise for McClure and Scarpaci… but we shall see.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 6:41pm

I thought I’d hate it and loved it. Though I did find the Flamenco singer to be really necessary of a cut… I loved every change from the film, thought it sensitive and aware, staging terrific and cast too, and that cooking number with internet chefs!!!!! McClure is just astounding.

I hope maybe others who expected disappointment had my reaction too.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 6:44pm

The flamenco scene was brilliant. I wish the show was JUST that. Two hours of Casey Garvin in an open shirt dancing. I’d pay full price for that. And I’m Jewish, so that’s saying something. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 6:47pm

Jordan Catalano said: "The flamenco scene was brilliant. I wish the show was JUST that. Two hours of Casey Garvin in an open shirt dancing. I’d pay full price for that. And I’m Jewish, so that’s saying something."

Oh that scene was a RIOT with all of the costume changes. Easily one of the best parts of the show, even if the scene may have been cut a bit from its pre-shutdown form. 

[MattieIce2018]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 7:07pm

I did think that Act 2 was too long but fully agree that the payoff of that flamenco scene was fantastic.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 7:56pm

New York Daily News - ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ on Broadway is a family-friendly gagfest
https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/broadway/ny-mrs-doubtfire-broadway-review-20211206-ltjcw47itfettkqcgdt35d4wva-story.html

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 7:59pm

Chris Jones seemed to like it in the article linked above: "It’s the best current choice for families visiting the city and looking for a fresh show to see together."

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 8:09pm

I think for me it was more the flamenco singer. It just took me out of the action a bit and I wanted to see more of the family and Lundy. Tho I do enjoy Casey Garvin

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 8:48pm

Mixed to negative 

https://newyorktheater.me/2021/12/05/mrs-doubtfire-review/

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 8:53pm

Yesterday, I got the chance to see Mrs. Doubtfire The Musical. Usually, when a musical adaptation of a movie comes in, I always feel skeptical at first, but I always like to give the show a chance. Granted, I love the film and of course, no one can replace the late Robin Williams. Everything I was thinking about this show changed the moment the curtain went up. This show is filled with extraordinary comedic acts, as well as big dance numbers. The one thing you should know is that everything is unexpected, especially if you are seeing it for the first time. The creative team made sure that the funny moments from the film were in the show as well. One example is during a major dance number in Act I, "Easy Peasy", where Mrs. Doubtfire's bra catches on fire. That, I must say is impressive! While we are still talking about that number, let's talk about the choreography of it! Towards the end of it, there is a major tap number that I simply cannot forget! I cannot imagine the hard work the cast put into this number. This number is considered my favorite scene of the entire show!

Moving on, let's talk about the cast! Obviously, the star of the show, Rob McClure, has proven himself as a dedicated actor for the stage! I cannot imagine the challenge of changing in and out of a bodysuit so quickly. Most importantly, a role that Robin Williams created is now in good hands. McClure's performance is one of the best and ver comedic performances I have EVER seen on a Broadway stage! If he does not win a Tony Award for this role, all hell will break loose! Step aside Hugh Jackman, make way for Rob McClure! Moving on, Jen Gambatese, who plays Miranda, gives a wonderful performance of a mother who wants what is best for her children. Her singing voice is so clear and concise! Of course, the children are also big stars in their own way! Analise Scarpaci's rebellious character Lydia is just trying to help keep the family together as she says in the number "What The Hell", "the adults should stop acting like children". Jake Ryan Flynn's performance was also excellent. Even with his voice being deeper than when he started with this show, he still powers through and actually makes the character of Christopher more mature. Next up, Brad Oscar's performance of Frank Hillard. One thing that annoyed me and made me laugh at the same time was his frequent yelling. Granted, being in the front row kind of made that experience louder, but it was still hilarious! J. Harrison Ghee continues his sassiness from playing Lola in Kinky Boots to playing Frank's husband André. Finally, I was not expecting much from Charity Angel Dawson, who plays Wanda, until the near end of Act II when Daniel realizes he screwed up. Although this scene was a dream, it still was unexpected. Charity breaks out into this rock number and just BELTS and I mean BELTS the number. I do not know how she does it, especially doing it 8 times a week, but she is a trooper!

In conclusion, this show is a masterpiece of itself! While it is good to have seen the original film first, I personally feel that going into this show unexpectedly is good too! To be honest, I thought this was better than the movie. Of course, no one can replace Robin Williams, but Rob McClure has preserved Williams' version while also making the character his own! If you have nothing to do when in NYC, please head on over to the Stephen Sondheim Theatre and enjoy 2 1/2 hours of energetic, comedic and of course family fun in this musical! 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 9:39pm

AMNY is mixed to negative.

"For the most part, the stage adaptation is competent but labored, with a weak, unmemorable score and a book that leans heavily on the gags and construction of the original film while adding some updated pop culture references (including Daniel doing the “voices” of Borat and Gollum)."

https://www.amny.com/entertainment/broadway/review-mrs-doubtfire-musical-broadway/

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 9:54pm

3/5 from Adam Feldman. My prognostications are pretty much on the money so far. 

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/mrs-doubtfire-broadway-musical-review

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 10:01pm

Variety is mixed to negative.

https://variety.com/2021/legit/reviews/mrs-doubtfire-review-musical-broadway-1235126621/

Updated On: 12/5/21 at 10:01 PM

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 10:03pm

The Wrap is positive on McClure, and not much else.

https://www.thewrap.com/mrs-doubtfire-broadway-review-rob-mcclure/

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 10:06pm

Deadline is positive on McClure (plus Evans and Bartlett) and the design team responsible for the Doubtfire transformations; negative on everything else.

https://deadline.com/2021/12/mrs-doubtfire-broadway-review-musical-rob-mcclure-1234885135/

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 10:10pm

Vulture is mixed.

https://www.vulture.com/2021/12/mrs-doubtfire-broadway-musical-theater-review.html

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 10:11pm

NYT is negative about everything but "the impressive makeup and prosthetics design."

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/05/theater/mrs-doubtfire-review-broadway.html

Updated On: 12/5/21 at 10:11 PM

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 10:16pm

Hollywood Reporter is fairly positive (though not on the book or score).

"At a late preview performance, you could feel the audience’s desire to simply relax and have a good time.

And if you aren’t too picky about it, this lively musical featuring a score by sibling Something Rotten! composers Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick delivers just that. Largely faithful to the film — yes, Mrs. Doubtfire once again sets her falsies on fire — the show doesn’t rise far enough above its source material to seem anything more than extraneous. But it delivers enough solid laughs to compensate for it being yet another in a seemingly endless procession of uninspired screen-to-stage musical adaptations."

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/mrs-doubtfire-theater-review-1235056997/

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 10:18pm

Washington Post is mixed:

"Audiences that want to indulge Broadway’s penchant for recycling hit movie scripts with an insert-song- here sensibility could do a lot worse than “Mrs. Doubtfire”; Broadway has repeatedly shown that it can — do worse, that is. (See “Pretty Woman,” “Ghost,” “Sister Act,” etc.) The pop score by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick evinces some cleverness, especially in a mock-flamenco number, “He Lied to Me,” performed in the Spanish restaurant where McClure executes nifty quick changes of Catherine Zuber’s smart costumes. (A special note of appreciation for Tommy Kurzman, who designed the prosthetics that smoothly transform McClure’s hapless Daniel into assertive Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire.)

Too often, though, the songs fall back on facile sentiment, or make unfortunate segues into extreme broadness, such as a garish drag number in Act 1 that introduces Daniel’s makeover, or the bizarre Act 2 dream sequence that posits a municipal social worker as the second coming of Aretha Franklin. Sweaty and hyper are the words that come to mind as you sit through the production numbers choreographed by Lorin Latarro"

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/12/05/mrs-doubtfire-broadway-review/

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 10:20pm

Theatermania is positive on McClure, several other cast members, but mixed to negative overall.

https://www.theatermania.com/broadway/reviews/review-mrs-doubtfire-is-now-a-broadway-musical-why_93077.html

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 10:24pm

NY Post is very negative:

‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ review: Bringing the movie to Broadway was a huge mistake

(I'm most fascinated by this web address though:

https://nypost.com/2021/12/05/https-nypost-com-2018-07-13-documentary-traces-the-comic-genius-of-robin-williams/

 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 10:24pm

Does NEWSDAY do Theatre reviews anymore? I cancelled my subscription a few years ago and don't find their reviews popping up here or anywhere else.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 10:26pm

MemorableUserName said: "NY Post is very negative:

‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ review: Bringing the movie to Broadway was a huge mistake

(I'm most fascinated by this web address though:

https://nypost.com/2021/12/05/https-nypost-com-2018-07-13-documentary-traces-the-comic-genius-of-robin-williams/

"

Yowza. Even Diana got a better review from the Post.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 12/5/21 at 10:26pm

Associated Press is mixed.

Review: Broadway's 'Mrs. Doubtfire' follows safe formula

https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/review-broadways-mrs-doubtfire-safe-formula-81576187