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 died suddenly in October 2020. [7]
Seattle (2019-2020)
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 (2021–2022)
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 (2022)
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 (2023–2025)
On November 15, 2022, it was announced that the musical will transfer to London's Shaftesbury Theatre, opening on 12 May 2023. [17]
The show started previews on 12 May 2023 before a Gala performance on 18 June 2023. The production stars Gabriel Vick as the title role, alongside Laura Tebbutt as Miranda; Carla Dixon Hernandez as Lydia; Samuel Edwards as Stuart; and Cameron Blakely and Marcus Collins as Frank and Andre. The show opened to positive reviews.
The production announced it will close on 26 April 2025, with plans to tour the world to be announced. [18]
First North American Tour (2023-2024)
In April 2023, it was announced that the show would embark on a North American national tour in fall 2023. The tour began performances on September 24, 2023 at Shea's Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, New York and closed on November 24, 2024 at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton, Wisconsin. [19] [20] In July 2023, it was announced that Rob McClure would reprise his Tony Award-nominated role as Daniel Hillard/Mrs.Doubtfire for the national tour. His real-life wife Maggie Lakis will also join the tour as Miranda Hillard. [21] In August 2023, full casting was announced. Joining McClure and Lakis are Giselle Gutierrez as Lydia Hillard, Aaron Kaburick as Frank Hillard, Nik Alexander as Andre Mayem, Leo Roberts as Stuart Dunmire, Romelda Teron Benjamin as Wanda Sellner, Cody Sawyer Braverman and Axel Bernard Rimmele as Christopher Hillard, and Emerson Mae Chan and Kennedy Alexandra Pitney as Natalie Hillard. [22]
Brazil (2024-2025)
In July 2024, it was announced that Eduardo Sterblitch would star in the Brazilian production of Uma Babá Quase Perfeita – O Musical, playing Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire. The musical began performances on October 3, 2024 at Teatro Multiplan in Rio de Janeiro and closed on November 24, 2024. Following its Rio de Janeiro run, the production embarked on a second season in São Paulo, beginning on March 12, 2025 at Teatro Liberdade and closing on May 11, 2025. The show is directed by Tadeu Aguiar, with musical direction by Liliane Secco and choreography by Sueli Guerra.
In August 2024, full casting was announced. Joining Sterblitch in the Rio de Janeiro season were Thais Piza as Miranda Hillard, Lara Suleiman as Lydia Hillard, Bernardo Destri as Christopher Hillard, and Bibi Valverde as Natalie Hillard. Additional cast members included Rainer Cadete as Frank Hillard, Willian Sancar as André Mayem, Rafael Aragão as Stuart Dunmire, Diego Becker as Mr. Jolly, Simone Centurione as Wanda Sellner, and Giovanna Sassi as Janet Lundy, along with a full ensemble.
For the São Paulo season, the cast featured some changes: Gabriella Di Grecco assumed the role of Lydia Hillard, and Fabrizio Gorziza took over the role of Frank Hillard
Second North American Tour (2025)
A second non-equity North American tour is set to begin on September 4, 2025 at the Clemens Center in Elmira, New York with performances scheduled through August 2026. [23]
UK and Ireland Tour (2026)
On April 28, 2025, it was announced that the musical will begin a UK and Ireland tour at the Birmingham Hippodrome on August 13, 2026. Gabriel Vick is set to reprise his role as Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire from the London production. [24]
