A new musical comedy about the things we do to stay together.
Daniel Hillard, a struggling, out-of-work actor, will do anything for his kids. After losing custody in a messy divorce, he creates the kindly alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire in a desperate attempt to stay in their lives. As his new character takes on a life of its own, Mrs. Doubtfire teaches Daniel more than he bargained for about how to be a father. A hilarious and heartfelt story about holding onto your loved ones against all odds, Mrs. Doubtfire is the musical comedy we need right now — one that proves we’re better together.
An observation Sondheim made about the history of musical theater comes to mind here: 'After the Rodgers and Hammerstein revolution, songs became part of the story, as opposed to just entertainments in between comedy scenes.' Yes, there is a story in 'Mrs. Doubtfire' (the same one as the movie), but Princess Diana is not part of it (her musical is five blocks away.) There are too many ornamental moments like 'Make Me A Woman,' when 'Mrs. Doubtfire' seems to be bringing us back some 90 years to pre-revolutionary Broadway when musical numbers did not advance the plot but served primarily as entertainments between comedy scenes.
Strange as it may be to say, getting shut down by the pandemic during previews last year might have been the best thing to happen to the new Broadway musical Mrs. Doubtfire. For one thing, the long hiatus gave some breathing room between this adaptation of the hit 1993 movie starring Robin Williams and Tootsie, the short-lived Broadway musical also revolving around a straight man who dresses in drag. For another, it provided the opportunity for the creators to do some apparently much-needed tinkering, as evidenced by early reports. Finally, the long theatrical dry spell has created a renewed appetite for a feel-good, family-friendly musical comedy. At a late preview performance, you could feel the audience's desire to simply relax and have a good time.
2019 | Regional (US) |
5th Avenue Theatre Pre-Broadway Production Regional (US) |
2022 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
2023 | West End |
West End |
2023 | US Tour |
US Tour US Tour |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Rob McClure |
2022 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Wig and Hair | David Brian Brown |
2022 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Awards | Rob McClure |
2022 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Musical | Mrs. Doubtfire |
2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Rob McClure |
2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Book of a Musical | Karey Kirkpatrick |
2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Book of a Musical | John O'Farrell |
2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) | Catherine Zuber |
2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Director of a Musical | Jerry Zaks |
2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Musical | Mrs. Doubtfire |
2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Score | Wayne Kirkpatrick |
2022 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical | Rob McClure |
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