Anne Siegel — Theater Critic

In this large and talented cast, it’s remarkable that one character manages to rise above the others. This would be Quijada as Juliet. Not only is this recent high school graduate close to Juliet’s actual age (14), but she belts and moves like a Broadway star. & Juliet gives her plenty of opportunity to showcase her magnificent voice, as she’s almost constantly onstage during this two hour, 40-minute show.

As someone who saw the Broadway version with Victoria Clark, who won a Tony Award for her performance as Kimberly, one must appreciate that actor Ann Morrison is making Kimberly into a different sort of character. Morrison is more muted: she presents a far less animated Kimberly than one saw in the Broadway version. Clark was so “teen-like” in her movements and vocal inflections that audiences could almost detect the high schooler trying to overcome her physical restrictions.

The subject of divorce is no laughing matter, and the film nimbly tiptoes on the emotional issues faced by both the parents and their three kids when a family falls apart. The somber topic kept Mrs. Doubtfire from being more than just a fun, fluffy escapade. The hit film was widely praised for its treatment of this sensitive topic.

The current national tour doesn’t feature anyone who can out-sing Barbra Streisand (who could?), but there is much to admire in every aspect of Katherina McCrimmon’s performance as Fanny. Not only does she sing with power and emotion, she can also mug to the audience, earning all the laughter so necessary for this character. McCrimmon can hold the stage effortlessly with one of Fanny’s (frequent) dramatic gestures.