Giselle Gutierrez

Pardon me a second, but I seem to be noticing stretch marks on my suspension of disbelief. Three nights before the curtain rose on the touring version of MRS. DOUBTFIRE that rolled into Belk Theater, I saw a rather fine production of Twelfth Night across town at Central Piedmont College. Since both of the brief runs include at least one matinee between now and Sunday, my experience of seeing two wives who fail to identify their true husbands can be intensified, compressed into the space eight hours, if you wish, after my relatively relaxed 75-hour exercise.

I was doubtful of Doubtfire. Musicals fashioned out of nonmusical comedy films are seldom stellar, and unlike so many of the patrons inside Dr. Phillips Center on opening night, I hadn’t grown up on 1993’s Mrs. Doubtfire movie, so I couldn’t count on nostalgia to pull me through. I figured I was in for a Tootsie Part Two.

Mrs. Doubtfire, a new musical based on the 1993 hit family film of the same name, is actually based on the 1987 novel Alias Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine. The stage musical in all its purposes features music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick, with a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell. The National Tour is currently onstage in the Carol Morsani Hall, at Tampa’s Straz Center for the Performing Arts.

Directed by Jerry Zaks with music supervision, arrangements, and orchestration by Ethan Popp, we watched in awe as Daniel, an out-of-work man-child actor, magically transforms into the lovable Mrs. Doubtfire, a spry geriatric Scottish woman with some help from two friends. He does this to be hired by his ex-wife as a nanny after losing custody of his children in the divorce. And we have to give a round of applause for his real-life leading lady, Lakis, who dazzles as the believable, underappreciated, exasperated ex-wife.

Based on Chris Columbus’ 1993 Academy Award-winning film of the same name adapted from Anne Fine’s 1987 novel titled Alias Madame Doubtfire. This musical follows Daniel Hillard, an out-of-work actor who loses custody of his kids in a divorce. So he masquerades as Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire to stay in their lives. This was the second in an unofficial trilogy of Broadway musicals adapted from classic movies about men disguising themselves as women. In 2019, we got Tootsie. In 2022, we got Some Like It Hot.

What did our critic think of MRS. DOUBTFIRE at Orpheum Theatre Memphis?

MRS. DOUBTFIRE is escapist musical theater fun with tremendous character actor Rob McClure (reprising the role from Broadway) carrying on Robin Williams’s immense legacy from the 1993 film in the lead role.

f you’re a 90’s kid like me, that famous greeting from cinema’s most iconic Scottish nanny is permanently imprinted on your memory, especially if, like me, your childhood home had “Mrs. Doubtfire” playing on repeat throughout your formative years (I think we eventually burned out the VHS tape). And while the stage adaptation of this pop culture classic presents some new characters and storylines that will be unfamiliar, it provides just as many heartwarming moments and, more importantly, side-splitting belly laughs.

Every once in a while a theater-goer sees a production in which it becomes apparent that the lead actor was born to play a role.  Julie Andrews as Eliza in MY FAIR LADY, Zero Mostel in FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM and Marlon Brando in STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, come to mind.  

Based on the popular 1993 Robin Williams film, the musical version of Mrs. Doubtfire, currently on stage at the Fox Theatre, is a dance driven comedy that has its peaks and valleys. Loaded with plenty of dude in a dress giggles and gimmicks, the production is the perfect showcase for the talents of two-time Tony® nominee Rob McClure.

Minneapolis, brace yourselves – the beloved Scottish nanny is gracing the stage! Rob McClure, in his Tony-nominated Broadway prowess, takes center stage alongside his real-life co-star and wife, Maggie Lakis, bringing to life the internationally acclaimed hit musical, Mrs. Doubtfire.

What did our critic think of MRS. DOUBTFIRE at Aronoff Center?

Mrs. Doubtfire is coming to Playhouse Square in January! Get ready for a hilarious and heartwarming musical adaptation of the beloved film. Don't miss out on this unforgettable show.

MRS. DOUBTFIRE will make its St. Louis debut at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. Learn how to purchase tickets!

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.

MRS. DOUBTFIRE is based on the 1993 movie that starred the late Robin Williams, Sally Fields, and Pierce Bronsonm but adds layers to smaller characters as well as 22 Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick-penned songs, and a host of dance numbers.

The Providence Performing Arts Center's Mrs. Doubtfire: The New Musical hit all the right emotional and comedic cords as it brought down the house in this touching and incredibly acted musical; get ready for a more modern Mrs. Doubtfire with laughs and heart for the entire family!

“I definitely am trying to overcome imposter syndrome,” the Central Florida University sophomore said. “I haven’t been doing theater for very long and I am trying to silence that little voice in my head, saying I’m not good enough to be in the room with these very accomplished people.”

The National Tour of Mrs. Doubtfire is now underway! 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. Read the reviews for Mrs. Doubtfire on tour here!

The producers of MRS. DOUBTFIRE, the smash hit musical comedy currently playing to sold-out houses in London's West End, have announced the full cast for the North American Tour launching next month.