Mrs. Doubtfire (musical)
Mrs. Doubtfire is a musical based on the 1993 film of the same name, which in turn is based on the 1987 novel Alias Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine, with music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick and a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell. The musical is set in the city of San Francisco, California.
| Mrs. Doubtfire | |
|---|---|
| The New Musical Comedy | |
_-_2021_Playbill.jpeg.webp) 2021 Broadway playbill | |
| Music | |
| Lyrics |
|
| Book |
|
| Basis | Mrs. Doubtfire by Randi Mayem Singer Leslie Dixon |
| Premiere | November 16, 2019: 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle |
| Productions |
2022 Manchester 2023 West End |
Background
A musical adaptation of Mrs. Doubtfire was in the works in 2015, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by David Zippel, and a book by Harvey Fierstein (who played Frank Hillard in the movie). Producer Kevin McCollum had previously spoken to The New York Times in 2013 about the 1993 movie's musical prospects, noting that the plot was "tailored for Broadway audiences".[1] However, three years later, Menken told that the project was put on 'creative hiatus', citing changes in the creative team as the problem.[2] Nevertheless, in 2018, McCollum revealed that the adaptation was still aiming for a Broadway bow, but with an entirely different creative team which includes Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick composing the score, and John O'Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick writing the book. Tony Award-winner Jerry Zaks became the director of the show.[3]
On May 16 and 17, 2019, the musical held a reading with a cast including Rob McClure, Kate Baldwin, Mario Cantone, and Jake Ryan Flynn.[4]
Productions
The musical is directed by Jerry Zaks with choreography by Lorin Latarro and music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp.[5] Rob McClure plays the role of Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire,[4] with Jenn Gambatese as Miranda Hillard, Brad Oscar as Frank Hillard, Analise Scarpaci as Lydia Hillard, Jake Ryan Flynn as Christopher Hillard, Avery Sell as Natalie Hillard, J. Harrison Ghee as Andre, Mark Evans as Stuart Dunmire, Charity Angél Dawson as Wanda Sellner, and Peter Bartlett as Mr. Jolly.[6] The cast originally included the late Doreen Montalvo as Janet Lundy. Montalvo performed in the Seattle tryout and the three pre-COVID Broadway previews, but passed away of a sudden ailment in October 2020.[7]
Seattle
The musical made its world premiere at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, Washington, beginning previews on November 26, 2019, with an official opening on December 13, with an intention to run until December 29 before being extended due to popular demand until January 4, 2020.
Broadway
Mrs. Doubtfire began Broadway previews on March 9, 2020, at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, with a planned opening night the following month.[6] Due to the Governor's response to the coronavirus pandemic, all Broadway productions were suspended on March 12, 2020. Mrs. Doubtfire resumed previews on October 21, 2021, officially opening December 5.[8][9][10] The production went on hiatus from January 10, 2022,[11] through April 14.[12] A month after reopening, producers announced the production would close on May 29, 2022, after 43 previews and 83 regular performances.[13]
Manchester
On November 5, 2021, it was announced that the musical will make its UK premiere at the Manchester Opera House the following year, opening on 2 September, and running until 1 October.[14] The run received generally favourable reviews.[15][16]
London
On November 15, 2022, it was announced that the musical will transfer to London's Shaftesbury Theatre, opening on 12 May 2023.[17]
Other performances
On November 18, 2021, the cast of Mrs. Doubtfire performed their song "Rockin' Now" on Good Morning America.
Musical numbers
Source: Playbill[18]
|
|
Cast
| Character | Industry Workshop (2019) |
Seattle (2019) |
Broadway[18] (2021) |
Manchester (2022) |
London[19] (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire | Rob McClure | Gabriel Vick | |||
| Miranda Hillard | Kate Baldwin | Jenn Gambatese | Laura Tebbutt | ||
| Frank Hillard | Mario Cantone | Brad Oscar | Cameron Blakely | ||
| Mr. Jolly | Peter Bartlett | Ian Talbot | |||
| Wanda Sellner | Charity Angél Dawson | Vanessa Fisher | Kelly Agbowu | ||
| Stuart Dunmire | Mark Evans | Dominic Andersen | Samuel Edwards | ||
| Andre Mayem | Michael James Scott | J. Harrison Ghee | Marcus Collins | ||
| Lydia Hillard | Mallory Bechtel | Analise Scarpaci | Carla Dixon-Hernandez | ||
| Christopher Hillard | Jake Ryan Flynn | George Nearn Stuart Charlie Tumbridge Fred Wilcox |
Max Bispham Elliot Mugume Frankie Treadaway | ||
| Natalie Hillard | Avery Sell | Jessica Bowerman Darcey Dean Angelica-Pearl Scott |
Scarlett Davies Ava Posniak Angelica-Pearl Scott | ||
| Janet Lundy | Doreen Montalvo | Jodi Kimura | Aiesha Naomi Pease | Micha Richardson | |
| Flamenco Singer | Aléna Watters | Lisa Mathieson | |||
Reception
The Broadway production received mixed reviews, with praise for the cast, namely McClure, Scarpaci, Oscar, and Bartlett. However, some of the characters and plot points were criticized for feeling written as tired and forgettable. Likewise, the score was mostly criticized for being unmemorable, though enjoyable.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Drama Desk Awards[20] | |||
| Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Rob McClure | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Wig and Hair Design | David Brian Brown | Won | ||
| Outer Critics Circle Award[21] | Outstanding New Musical | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Rob McClure | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Director of a Musical | Jerry Zaks | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Book of a Musical | Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Score | Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) | Catherine Zuber | Nominated | ||
| Tony Awards[22][23] | Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical | Rob McClure | Nominated | |
References
- Healy, Patrick (August 1, 2013). "Like the Movie, Only Different". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-07-29.
- Jeffery, Morgan (May 17, 2016). "Mrs Doubtfire: The Musical has been put on hold". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2019-07-29.
- Romano, Nick (August 28, 2018). "Mrs. Doubtfire musical is officially in the works and aiming for Broadway". EW.com. Retrieved 2019-07-29.
- Clement, Olivia (September 5, 2019). "Rob McClure to Star in World Premiere of Mrs. Doubtfire Musical". Playbill.
- McPhee, Ryan (June 6, 2019). "Mrs. Doubtfire Musical Will Make Its World Premiere in Seattle". Playbill. Retrieved 2019-07-29.
- Rosky, Nicole (October 16, 2019). "Breaking: MRS. DOUBTFIRE Will Open on Broadway in Spring 2020 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
- Gans, Andrew (19 October 2020). "Doreen Montalvo, Star of In the Heights and On Your Feet!, Dies at 56". Playbill. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- "The Shutdown Continues: All Performances of Broadway Shows Now Suspended Through June 7". Broadway.com. April 8, 2020. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
- Paulson, Michael (May 5, 2021). "Broadway Is Reopening. But Not Until September". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- Evans, Greg (May 10, 2021). "'Mrs. Doubtfire' Musical Announces Fall Broadway Return With Rob McClure In Title Role". Deadline. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
- Culwell-Block, Logan (2022-01-02). "Broadway's Mrs. Doubtfire to Take 9-Week Hiatus". Playbill. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
- Chapman, Wilson (March 18, 2022). "'Mrs. Doubtfire' Delays Broadway Reopening to April". Variety. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
- "Last performance May 29!". Instagram: doubtfirebway. May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- Mayo, Douglas (2021-11-07). "Mrs Doubtfire musical to have UK premiere in Manchester in 2022". British Theatre. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - Tan, Ain't No Other (2022-09-06). "Theatre Review: Mrs. Doubtfire". Tan's Topics. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
- Bourne, Dianne (2022-09-22). "The show they didn't want us to review - Mrs Doubtfire musical reviewed". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
- "Helloooo, London - MRS DOUBTFIRE The Musical to open in the West End in May 2023". Best of Theatre. 2022-11-15. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "Mrs. Doubtfire (Broadway, Stephen Sondheim Theatre, 2021)". Playbill. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
- "Helloooooo London! - It's MRS DOUBTFIRE..." London Box Office. 2022-11-15. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "66th Drama Desk Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved 2022-05-16.
- "71st Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle Awards. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
- "2022 Tony Award Nominations". Tony Awards. May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
- Lang, Brent; Woerner, Meredith (June 12, 2022). "Tony Awards 2022 Complete List of Winners: 'A Strange Loop,' 'The Lehman Trilogy' Earn Top Prizes". Variety. Retrieved June 16, 2022.