Mrs. Doubtfire Touring Reviews

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 e...

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.

Much of the credit for that goes to Craig Allen Smith. He plays Daniel Hillard, an out-of-work actor who disguises himself as a Scottish nanny so he can remain close to his three kids after his divorce from their mother. Complications inevitably ensu...

Much of the credit for that goes to Craig Allen Smith. He plays Daniel Hillard, an out-of-work actor who disguises himself as a Scottish nanny so he can remain close to his three kids after his divorce from their mother. Complications inevitably ensue, the wheels come off his double life, and Daniel learns a bit about parenthood and marriage along the way.

Its desperation for laughs (which don’t come easily) makes it seem jolting when they suddenly stomp on the brakes for an emotional scene. It usually involves something between the kids and the parent who has departed, a common enough occurrence in...

Its desperation for laughs (which don’t come easily) makes it seem jolting when they suddenly stomp on the brakes for an emotional scene. It usually involves something between the kids and the parent who has departed, a common enough occurrence in a divorced-filled land that it could strike a familiar chord. But they happens so quickly, and end so soon that these moments seem more like aberrations.

Many of the songs (music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick) are quite touching, particularly Miranda's heartrending and nostalgic ballad "Let Go," and there are plenty of laughs (the book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell pr...

Many of the songs (music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick) are quite touching, particularly Miranda's heartrending and nostalgic ballad "Let Go," and there are plenty of laughs (the book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell preserves and enhances much of the humor of the 1993 film of the same name on which it's based). But perhaps there are one or two more enthusiastically choreographed production numbers than the show really needs.

Mrs. Doubtfire may not push any theatrical boundaries, but it does succeed in delivering a fun night out. The show taps into the nostalgia of the movie while offering fresh performances and some updates that make it more than just an attempt to capit...

Mrs. Doubtfire may not push any theatrical boundaries, but it does succeed in delivering a fun night out. The show taps into the nostalgia of the movie while offering fresh performances and some updates that make it more than just an attempt to capitalize on the film’s fan base. See Mrs. Doubtfire on stage at the National Arts Centre through November 9th.

The production is driven by Craig Allen Smith, who takes on the dual role of Daniel Hillard and Mrs. Doubtfire. Smith is a whirlwind of energy from the moment the show begins until curtain call. I often say theatre is a sport and Smith proves himself...

The production is driven by Craig Allen Smith, who takes on the dual role of Daniel Hillard and Mrs. Doubtfire. Smith is a whirlwind of energy from the moment the show begins until curtain call. I often say theatre is a sport and Smith proves himself to be an athlete! With 32 costume changes, many being in plain view of the audience, along with demanding song and dance numbers and dozens of other vocal characters throughout the performance, he tackles it head on with stamina and emotional range each night.

Director Steve Edlund keeps the pace snappy and the energy vibrant throughout the show’s two-hour-and-40-minute running time. And the performers are invariably impressive, especially when avidly embracing the absurdity of such dance numbers as all ...

Director Steve Edlund keeps the pace snappy and the energy vibrant throughout the show’s two-hour-and-40-minute running time. And the performers are invariably impressive, especially when avidly embracing the absurdity of such dance numbers as all the internet cooks coming to life in one kitchen, a nightmare sequence full of Riverdancing Mrs. Doubtfires or a climactic flamenco conflagration. Yet the ballads are also strong, conveying palpable sorrow as the family members figure up their losses.

It is not a musical to stand the test of time; nor is it likely to do so. But it has its heart in the right place — at least when it comes to its painful chosen topic: divorce and how to survive it. (Robin Williams, as it turns out, had personal ex...

It is not a musical to stand the test of time; nor is it likely to do so. But it has its heart in the right place — at least when it comes to its painful chosen topic: divorce and how to survive it. (Robin Williams, as it turns out, had personal experience: three marriages, two divorces.) The lyrics of the last two-part song sum up the pain, pathos and hope for survival: “All is not lost/ As long as there is (familial) love.”

The ensemble is exceptional, with splendid choreography, which adds a lot to many of the musical numbers. Their efforts are highlighted especially in ‘Easy Peasy’ with some culinary expertise. While the laughs take center stage, the lyrics are fu...

The ensemble is exceptional, with splendid choreography, which adds a lot to many of the musical numbers. Their efforts are highlighted especially in ‘Easy Peasy’ with some culinary expertise. While the laughs take center stage, the lyrics are fun and the energy of the musical numbers keeps the audience smiling.

Fans of the original film will recognize many favorite moments while also discovering new songs and stage sequences written specifically for the musical adaptation. The production features a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, with music ...

Fans of the original film will recognize many favorite moments while also discovering new songs and stage sequences written specifically for the musical adaptation. The production features a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, with music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick, the Tony Award-nominated team behind Something Rotten!

Despite a handful of character changes and substitution of new scenes, the stage version of Mrs. Doubtfire works because of Craig Allen Smith's hyper physicality and sympathetic portrayal of Hillard. Fortunately, the key speech at the end of the show...

Despite a handful of character changes and substitution of new scenes, the stage version of Mrs. Doubtfire works because of Craig Allen Smith's hyper physicality and sympathetic portrayal of Hillard. Fortunately, the key speech at the end of the show, when Mrs. Doubtfire reads a letter to her audience from a little girl whose parents have broken up, still brings out handkerchiefs to blot at moist eyes. Yes, it's cloying and overly sentimental, but the honesty of the Hillards' family dynamic comes through, making the musical version of the film classic an appropriate and entertaining variation on the universal theme: families come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.