The Groundhog Day musical debacle left me wary of movie-to-stage adaptations. I saw them as cash grabs, mere shadows of the beloved originals. So, I approached Mrs. Doubtfire with trepidation, fearing another corny, uninspired musical. Thankfully, Mrs. Doubtfire surprised me. It wasn't just enjoyable, but the refreshingly unapologetic old-fashioned style of musical theater was a welcome change.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the source material, Mrs. Doubtfire is based on the 1993 movie of the same name. It starred the late incomparable Robin Williams and Americas sweetheart Sally Fields, and yes, we really do love her. The musical faithfully captures the heart of the movie, while incorporating essential modernizations. The plot is straight forward, Daniel Hillard a fun-loving vocal actor, devoted father to his three children is having marital problems. His free-spirited personality and impulsive behavior often clash with his workaholic wife, Miranda. Their differences culminate in a divorce. Daniel loses custody of his children although he gets limited visitation rights. Meanwhile, as Miranda’s work as a gym-wear executive requires more of her time, she now requires a Nanny. The process of interviewing potentials is comedy driven, as is so much of what unfolds in this 2-1/2-hour show.
After securing an interview with Miranda, Daniel sets out to become the nanny. He visits his gay brother Frank and his equally gay brother-in-law Andre. Both are in the costume design business. The first production number of this show (Make Me a Woman) sets the bar extremely high for future production numbers. Frank and Andre give Daniel several options to choose from. They start out with glamorous ‘Jackie’, ‘Diana’, ‘Cher’ and ‘Donna Summer’ until they realize ‘Eleanor Roosevelt’, ‘Julia Childs’, ‘Margaret Thatcher’, ‘Janet Reno’ and ‘Oscar Wilde’(strange, but it works) is closer to the nanny Daniel is going for. Daniel becomes Mrs. Doubtfire right before our eyes.
The production updated the material by using modern devices to its benefit. In ‘Easy Peasy’ Mrs. Doubtfire uses Alexa to find recipes and suddenly chefs pop out of every corner of the kitchen to help create a chicken recipe, even Julia Child and Paula Deen, with extra butter, make an appearance.
‘Playing With Fire’ is a fever dream of Daniel where he questions everything he has done thus far and involves the entire company. It is a big production with excellent choreography bringing the whole company together.
The heart of this production is Rob McClure, a theatrical force seamlessly transitioning between Daniel and Doubtfire, McClure is giving a career defining performance that would surely make Robin Williams proud. The lovely Maggie Lakis as Miranda and their on-stage children Giselle Gutierrez as Lydia (what a voice), Cody Braverman as Christopher, and Kennedy Pitney as Natalie make up the Hillard family.
The supporting cast includes Aaron Kaburick (hilarious as Frank), Nik Alexander (a dramatic Andre), Leo Roberts (a powerfully built Stuart Dunmire) and Jodi Kimura as stoic station manager Janet Lundy.
In the wrong hands this production would be a mess, in the hands of four-time Tony Award winner, Jerry Zaks it becomes gold. His illustrious career boasts triumphs like "Guys and Dolls," "Six Degrees of Separation." and “La Cage Aux Folles”. His keen eye for talent, comedic timing, and the ability to draw out the best in his actors have cemented his place as a Broadway icon.
This heartwarming and delightful musical is a pure joyride. Unlike some shows with hidden agendas, its sole purpose is to make you laugh out loud. While it's a charmingly old-fashioned family-oriented production focused on pure entertainment, the underlying message is clear: love conquers all, family is everything.
When: Through March 10
Where: James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St.
Running time: 2 hours, 25 minutes
Tickets: $44-$116 at www.broadwayinchicago.com
Growing up our radio dial was tuned to one channel, K-Earth 101. In Southern California that station was the oldies,…
Crowds will flock to see “Judgment Day,” having its world premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. While many…
In "Panther in the Sky," playwright Lani T. Montreal masterfully weaves a tapestry of grief, resilience, and redemption through the…
A collaboration of Chicago dance and Germany lighting sculpture live on stage About the Program: This program, set within an…
Broadway In Chicago is excited to announce the pre-Broadway World Premiere of DEATH BECOMES HER is now playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre…
Blue in the Right Way audaciously chose for their inaugural production a 400-year-old play, WOMEN BEWARE WOMEN, written in 1621…
I think my favorite thing – well, one of my favorite things – about Wyatt Kent’s take on HAMLET is…
Frolicking season is upon us once again and Joffrey Ballet welcomes summer with the return of Alexander Ekman’s “Midsummer Night’s…
As the audience takes its seats we are greeted by an atmosphere of foreboding, a trestle bridge girder to the…
Director Chuck Smith returns to Goodman with another major August Wilson revival–“Joe Turner’s Come and Gone”. This is the second…
The Gift Theatre is pleased to announce its 2024-25 season featuring Suzan-Lori Parks' masterpiece Topdog/Underdog directed by Shanésia Davis and the world premiere of Cygnus by Susan Soon He…
Broadway In Chicago is excited to announce that individual tickets for the world premiere of the first ever touring production…
Full cast and crew have been announced for BrightSide Theatre's upcoming production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, the rock opera that…
Chicago Opera Theater (COT), Chicago’s foremost producer of new and reimagined opera, closes its 50th Anniversary season presenting the final performances of…
Tim Rhoze, Artistic Director of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, has announced the company's 2024 season of four productions. The season will open with…
David Williamson, regarded as one of the top magicians in the world today, makes his Rhapsody Theater debut with Ridiculous! Known for his tours…
Curious Theatre Branch is pleased to announce the 35th annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival, May 25 - June 30 at six venues across Chicago. The…
It’s often said that in the workplace you should refrain from talking about politics and religion; too personal, too easy…
BALLET 5:8 is a female - and minority-led ballet company resident at Harris Theatre in Millenium Park. Under the leadership…
When life’s chaos is full of impossible choices, how are we possibly meant to move forward? Brooklyn Laundry is about…
I would absolutely bomb out of jury selection cos I have a very definite bias: I’ve been a fan(atic) of…
You got trouble, my friends, if you’re going to put on Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. If you’re going to…
This year's Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 65th-anniversary engagement at Chicago's historic Auditorium Theatre held particular importance as it marked…
For the final show of its 30th anniversary season, Trap Door Theatre—the little company that could—has selected a sure-fire hit…
Chicago’s National Landmark Auditorium Theatre (50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly announces its 2024-25 performance season presenting a vibrant mix of…
Chicago Writers' Bloc has announced the lineup of plays and musicals for its biennial festival of new plays, to be…
If you appreciate classical music and captivating stories about brilliant artists from the past, Hershey Felder’s one-man show, Monsieur Chopin:…
Jackalope Theatre Company continues its 16th season at Edgewater’s Berger Park, 6205 N. Sheridan Rd., with the announcement of the cast…
Born and raised in Mexico City, Dr. Ricardo Rosenkranz, MD, Chicago’s own Physician Magician, will celebrate the festive Cinco de Mayo holiday weekend by…
The Player (Lorenze Rush Jr) has just run into Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with his troupe of players. As he explains…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.