Review Roundup: MRS. DOUBTFIRE Launches National Tour; What Are the Critics Saying?

The National Tour of Mrs. Doubtfire is now underway! The production features Tony-nominated Broadway leading man Rob McClure, reprising his role as Daniel Hillard/Euphegenia Doubtfire. McClure is joined by renowned actress and real-life wife, Maggie Lakis as Miranda Hillard.

Joining McClure and Lakis are Giselle Gutierrez as Lydia Hillard, Aaron Kaburick as Frank Hillard, Nik Alexander as Andre Mayem, Leo Roberts as Stuart Dunmire, Romelda Teron Benjamin as Wanda Sellner, Cody Sawyer Braverman and Axel Bernard Rimmele as Christopher Hillard, and Emerson Mae Chan and Kennedy Alexandra Pitney as Natalie Hillard.

The cast also includes David Hibbard, Alex Branton, Jonathan Hoover, Sheila Jones, Julie Kavanagh, Jodi Kimura, Marquez Linder, Alex Ringler, Bianca Rivera-Irions, Lannie Rubio, Neil Starkenberg, Joey Stone, Gina Ward, Lauryn Withnell, and Julia Yameen.

The 2023-2024 North American Tour of Mrs. Doubtfire launched at Shea's Performing Arts Center in Buffalo before continuing on to play 30+ cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Nashville and more. 

What are the critics saying about the musical? Read the reviews so far below!

Nancy Sasso Janis, Nancy Sasso Janis: To say that McClure leads this cast is an understatement. As he constantly switches between Daniel and Euphegenia Doubtfire, sometimes onstage, he is a force to be reckoned with. While the actor has assistance with his innumerable quick changes, he manages them efficiently, and it is actually fun to watch. McClure is the ultimate triple threat, and also masters multiple voices as did Robin Williams and acts as his own puppeteer. He is even required to appear onstage in his underwear.

Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant: “Mrs. Doubtfire” fires on all cylinders, including the two starring roles played by Rob McClure. The Broadway stalwart (who was also on the ground floor of “Something Rotten”) has been with every U.S. iteration of this show — in regional theater, then on Broadway and now on its first national tour. He is profoundly appealing both as the irrepressible impressionist Daniel Hillard and as Hillard’s greatest creation: Euphegenia Doubtfire, the Scottish woman he embodies so that he can spend time with his kids after his hyper enthusiasm and obliviousness to certain grown-up responsibilities screws up his marriage.

Mary Lincer, BroadwayWorld: McClure sings, acts, dances (duh); he plays two characters at the same time; he does voices (e.g. Gollum, ET, Miss Piggy, Agent Orange [that's what Spike Lee calls the 45th POTUS, who shall not be named]); he can beatbox, work puppets, and Rob McClure can change costumes, very frequently--yeah, sure, in the wings with dressers--but also in full view of the audience sometimes with the help of other characters and sometimes alone. So frequently! But you know what else? He can give focus, because this is not a one-man show, and several other performers help tell Mrs. Doubtfire's story. So Rob McClure shares the spotlight: talented, generous, and only seven more performances in DC.

Gail Golden, Buffalo Rising: Mr. McClure certainly deserved the nomination! He is a multi-talented dynamo - rapping, tapping, singing ballads, doing comedy numbers, puppeteering, doing lots of voices, and changing costumes dozens and dozens of times. This is a whirlwind of a performance and both “Daniel” and “Daniel as Mrs. Doubtfire” are genuine, sweet, funny, and zany! I hope Mr. McClure can keep up this pace for the 30 cities across the continent. We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to see his brilliant work here in Western New York!

Eric Colchamiro, MD Theatre Guide: At the center of it is Tony-nominated Rob McClure as Euphegenia Doubtfire. McClure’s Doubtfire is zany, snarky when necessary, especially with Miranda’s new love interest Stuart, an appropriately buff Leo Roberts. He is all over the stage with excitement in contrast to the more reserved Miranda, played by McClure’s real-life wife, Maggie Lakis.

Em Skow, DC Theater Arts: Leading the national tour as he did the original Broadway cast was Rob McClure as Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire. A tour de force performance that has already garnered him Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle nominations remains just as joyful, heartfelt, and captivatingly frenetic as ever. I know I was not the only one watching McClure’s performance knowing that Robin Williams would be proud. Whether piling on the silly in “It’s About Time,” as a jealous Mrs. Doubtfire in “Big Fat No,” or pulling on heartstrings in “I Want to Be There” and the tender duet “Just Pretend” with eldest daughter Lydia (played by the wonderful silky-voiced Giselle Gutierrez), McClure’s comedic timing, vocal impressions, and physical acrobatics were all spectacular from start to finish.

Jay Pateakos, BroadwayWorld: Besides the non-stop comedy, Mrs. Doubtfire packs a huge heart as the family deals with the ramifications from a divorce and the balance of seeing their parents seperately and dealing with their mom's new love interest Stuart Dunmire, played by Leo Roberts. As a divorced dad myself, many of the notes of this musical hit home and no song struck a bigger cord than Miranda's incredibly touching 'Let Go', something many of us struggle with, throughout life.

Kathie Raleigh, The Independent: Leading man Rob McClure brings a wealth of talent to portraying Daniel Hillard, the father who transforms himself into the title character; he earned a Tony Award nomination for the role, which he originated on Broadway. He is a hilarious comic with innate timing among his treasure chest of skills, including the ability to create voices ranging from Kermit the Frog to Darth Vader. Do not be late for the start of the show — it’s a showcase for those voices.

Kimberly Rau, News Talk: The actors are the best part about this show. Rob McClure reprises his Broadway role as Daniel, and plays the character very well. It’s not his fault the show stinks. Some of the best moments in the show (and there are some good moments) are when McClure really lets Daniel’s character run wild, particularly when he’s messing around at his job at the television studio. And it’s not Maggie Lakis’ fault that her lovely voice is lost on the few solos that Miranda gets. The kids (Giselle Gutierrez as Lydia, Axel Bernard Rimmele as Chris and Emerson Mae Chan as Natalie) are great. The brothers (Aaron Kaburik as Frank and Nik Alexander as husband Andre) are hilarious and play off each other’s energies beautifully. But the show falls flat and tries too hard to be something it never was, and the best actors in the world can’t save that. (Neither can watching Oscar Wilde doing disco splits, a particularly surreal moment during the montage where Frank and Andre are trying to figure out what Daniel’s “look” will be as a woman.)

Jeffrey Ellis, BroadwayWorld: Rob McClure’s masterful turn onstage as the redoubtable title character is reason enough to make sure you see Mrs. Doubtfire, The New Musical Comedy, now onstage at Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Andrew Jackson Hall through Sunday. But odds are you’ll find so much more to love about this musical adaptation – from the “hometown” team that gave us Something Rotten, the endearing paean to musical theater – of the classic film comedy that, truth be told, McClure’s bravura performance will be the icing on the cake (or, more probably, the buttercream sandwiched between two layers of luscious Victoria sponge) of this delightfully theatrical confection.

Carmichael Cruz, Click On Detroit: Rob McClure, who originated the role of Daniel Hilliard/Mrs. Doubtfire in its pre-Broadway run in Seattle, at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York, and now across the country on the show’s first national tour, is a bonafide tour de force. From the countless impersonations (no, really, I lost count), to the never-ending costume changes both on-stage and off, McClure is the show.

The Cosmic Circus, The Cosmic Circus: So it was almost a complete shock how blown away I was when saw Mrs. Doubtfire the Musical. I was completely blown away. The show captures the essence of the original and improves upon it. Some of the scenes feel like exact replicas of their movie counterparts, with those scenes being some of the best parts of the film. However, there’s a ton added to the story, which led to a greater stage adaptation. One such storyline was the change of Miranda’s career from interior designer to fashion designer, which added some new gags with Mrs. Doubtfire. It also helped to add some drama, with more situations in which Daniel might get caught.

Ronelle Grier, The Detroit Jewish News: Like the movie, the show depends on a strong and special actor in the title role, and McClure, who earned a Tony nomination for his performance in the Broadway production, exceeds expectations. Rather than attempting to mimic Williams’ iconic performance, McClure makes the role his own. With his impressive talent for vocal impressions, physical comedy and serious acting, he elicits laughter as the madcap Mrs. Doubtfire and empathy as a father suffering through a nasty divorce.

Elijah, PghLesbian: In this review, E explores the relationship of Daniel to his children and his brother, who happens to be a married gay man. E was also careful to note how this show addressed the clearly transphobic elements from the movie. Not only does it reflect the values of E’s generation, it shines a light for how we bring these amazing stories forward minus the trauma and harm.

Taylor Clemons, BroadwayWorld: When thinking of 'Mrs. Doubtfire', it’s hard to imagine anyone coming close to Robin Williams' iconic performance, but I’m happy to report that Rob McClure is the perfect man for the job. McClure received the show’s sole Tony nomination for his work, and it’s easy to see why: his performance is what makes the show work. McClure is funny, heartbreaking, and so lovable as a father desperately trying to regain control of his life and trying to maintain a connection with his children, who he loves more than anything in the world. McClure’s performance is an absolute marathon, and he pulls off every comedic beat expertly. It’s very apparent that he’s having the time of his life continuing to play this role.

Jared Fessler, BroadwayWorld: Staying true to the film while incorporating subtle changes, the script offered a refreshing take on the beloved story. The incorporation of memorable lines from the movie elicited laughter from the audience. The stage version's humorous, energetic ensemble numbers, paired with heartfelt songs, captivated the audience. The vibrant costumes, dazzling sets, and seamless production, including impressive quick changes, added a visual feast to the experience.

Ross Raihala, TwinCities.com: That said, “Mrs. Doubtfire” radiates with the look and feel of a proper Broadway blockbuster, with a huge cast and eye-popping number of costumes. But, oof, the choices the production made for the Mrs. Doubtfire character are questionable, starting with the mask that’s supposed to look like Williams (not McClure) in drag but instead feels almost inhuman.

Rob Levy, BroadwayWorld: The musical's opening show featured Alex Branton as Daniel, with McClure taking a night off. He didn't skip a beat. His excellent performance with co-star (and McClure's real-life partner) Maggie Lakis is the perfect accomplice as Miranda. Playing off Branton's wisecracking jokes, physical comedy and hokey impressions, her serious demeanor was the perfect counterbalance.

Mark Meszoros, The News Herald: That said, McClure — who inhabited the dual role in the show’s ill-fated, COVID-19-hampered Broadway production — is likewise skilled at physical comedy and is easily the biggest reason this “Mrs. Doubtfire” is a crowd-pleaser from beginning to end.

Christine Howey, Scene: If it seems cruel to compare anyone to Robin Williams, note that this production invites it by mimicking the movie throughout. Right from the start, McClure as Daniel Hilliard tries to show off his talent as a voiceover actor by doing a series of rapid-fire impressions of well-known characters, the kind of thing that Williams did with devastating accuracy. But McClure's impressions are a bit like your uncle Jerry's imitation of Ed Sullivan, not really close and a bit cringey.

Lynne Menefee, MD Theatre Guide: The musical is expertly directed by four-time Tony Award®-winner Jerry Zaks, with music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick and book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell. There have a few been updates for a 21st century audience, particularly with references to technology, and some different settings from the film version, but it all blends well.

Jamie Flowers, West End Best Friend: Mrs Doubtfire has a sensational, diverse cast, led by Rob McClure as Daniel Hillard - who was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical in the role on Broadway - and his real life wife (Maggie Lakis) as Miranda Hillard, with the characters singing and dancing in amazing numbers.

Colin Fleming-Stumpf, BroadwayWorld: “Mrs. Doubtfire” is truly one of cinema’s most emotional roller coasters, overflowing with comedy but also a lot of intensity and familial strife (for my money, it’s the best film about divorce that’s ever been made). The stage adaptation captures all of these dynamics, delivered with even more poignancy when seen live and not on a TV screen.

Dennis Polkow, New City Stage: But the best thing about “Mrs. Doubtfire: A New Musical Comedy” is that it restores the heartfelt message of the book—that divorce doesn’t have to be an end for a family, but can simply be a new chapter. Rather than the ambiguous ending of the film where Daniel returns with the implication that there could well be a marital reconciliation, the musical makes it quite clear that will not happen, yet remains upbeat. It was a particularly moving decision for McClure’s curtain call to be as Daniel, not Mrs. Doubtfire.

Steven Oxman, Chicago Sun-Times: The good news is that the Robin Williams character — in one of the actor's classic film performances, improvising with that on-the-edge-of-sanity zaniness that made him so compelling — is played by Rob McClure in a rare case of the Broadway lead going on tour.

AniKatrina Fageol, BroadwayWorld: McClure truly deserves a Tony Award for this role. His voices and impersonations take us back to our beloved Robin Williams, honoring him in a perfect way while making the role his very own. It was incredible to see Daniel becoming Mrs. Doubtfire right in front of our eyes, accomplished by amazing hair and make up and an outstanding ensemble who kept singing throughout the whole transformation number. The transformation scene was iconic in the film but let's be honest- it was film. There were multiple takes. To see McClure, Aaron Kaburick (Frank) and Nik Alexander (Andre Mayem) who portray Daniel's gay brother and brother-in-law, turning a man into a woman during the number "Make Me A Woman" was sheer theatrical magic.

Jeffrey Kare, BroadwayWorld: Stepping into the shoes of the legendary Robin Williams sounds like no easy task at all. Yet Rob McClure, reprising a role that earned him a Tony nomination on Broadway, is more than up to it. As Daniel Hillard and his alter ego, Mrs. Doubtfire, he manages to be both hilariously memorable and sincere.

Jeffrey Kare, BroadwayWorld: Stepping into the shoes of the legendary Robin Williams sounds like no easy task at all. Yet Rob McClure, reprising a role that earned him a Tony nomination on Broadway, is more than up to it. As Daniel Hillard and his alter ego, Mrs. Doubtfire, he manages to be both hilariously memorable and sincere.

Jeffrey Kare, BroadwayWorld: Stepping into the shoes of the legendary Robin Williams sounds like no easy task at all. Yet Rob McClure, reprising a role that earned him a Tony nomination on Broadway, is more than up to it. As Daniel Hillard and his alter ego, Mrs. Doubtfire, he manages to be both hilariously memorable and sincere.

Dave Elias, NBC 2: Actor Rob McClure is beyond phenomenal as the loveable dancing nanny Mrs. Doubtfire. McClure plays the role of Daniel Hillard, an out-of-work voice actor whose carefree attitude costs him his marriage and children until he gets a hair-brained idea to become a Scottish nanny to get closer to his kids.

Drew Eberhard, BroadwayWorld: Featuring 23 musical numbers, Mrs. Doubtfire will have you laughing and rocking in your seats. The fast paced, up-tempo nature of the musical will grab you and pull you in from the very start. Despite the fun up-tempo nature of the show, and the blistering speed at which the events unfold, deep rooted in its plot are life lessons, and an otherwise retrospective lens that many in the audience will find the ability to relate to. The musical is a depiction of the Modern American family at who’s centralized storyline centers around parental divorce, and the effects it takes on the family as a whole. Mrs. Doubtfire is hailed as being the new musical that centers around this idea of “...the things we do to stay together...”

Michael Solomon, Sun Sentinel: [Rob McClure] is a quadruple threat. He is a man of a thousand voices (wait until you get a load of his Donald Trump impersonation; oh, and Gollum, E.T., Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog). He’s a comic and, when necessary, a serious actor — a great singer and dancer, too. Plus, he knows this character inside and out, having originated the role on Broadway when the musical opened in 2021 and been nominated for a Tony Award for his star turn.

Average Rating: 76.9%

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