Mrs. Doubtfire (musical)

Last updated
Mrs. Doubtfire
The New Musical Comedy
DoubtfireMusicalLogo.webp
Promotional Logo
Music
Lyrics
  • Karey Kirkpatrick
  • Wayne Kirkpatrick
Book
Basis Mrs. Doubtfire
by Randi Mayem Singer
Leslie Dixon
Alias Madame Doubtfire
by Anne Fine
PremiereNovember 16, 2019: 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle
Productions

Mrs. Doubtfire is a musical based on the 1993 film Mrs. Doubtfire , 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.

Contents

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)

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-present)

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 the 12th May 2023 before a Gala performance on the 18th 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.

North American Tour (2023)

In April 2023, it was announced that the show will embark on a North American national tour in fall 2023. The tour began performances on September 29, 2023 at Shea's Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, New York. The tour is scheduled to make stops in over thirty cities through July 2024. [18] 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. [19] 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. [20]

Other performances

On November 18, 2021, the cast of Mrs. Doubtfire performed their song "Rockin' Now" on Good Morning America .

Musical numbers

Source: Playbill [21]

2021 Broadway Production


2023 North American Tour and London Production

Cast

CharacterWorkshopSeattleBroadway [21] ManchesterWest End [22] North American Tour [23]
2019202120222023
Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire Rob McClure Gabriel Vick Rob McClure
Miranda Hillard Kate Baldwin Jenn Gambatese Laura TebbuttMaggie Lakis
Frank Hillard Mario Cantone Brad Oscar Cameron Blakely Aaron Kaburick
Mr. Jolly Peter Bartlett Ian Talbot David Hibbard
Wanda SellnerCharity Angél DawsonVanessa FisherKelly AgbowuRomelda Teron Benjamin
Stuart Dunmire Mark Evans Dominic AndersenSamuel EdwardsLeo Roberts
Andre Mayem Michael James Scott J. Harrison Ghee Marcus Collins Nik Alexander
Lydia Hillard Mallory Bechtel Analise ScarpaciCarla Dixon-HernandezGiselle Gutierrez
Christopher HillardJake Ryan FlynnJake Ryan Flynn
Tyler Wladis
Titus Landegger
George Nearn Stuart
Charlie Tumbridge
Fred Wilcox
Max Bispham
Elliot Mugume
Frankie Treadaway
Cody Braverman
Axel Bernard Rimmele
Natalie HillardAvery SellJessica Bowerman
Darcey Dean
Angelica-Pearl Scott
Scarlett Davies
Ava Posniak
Angelica-Pearl Scott
Emerson Mae Chan
Kennedy Pitney
Janet Lundy Doreen Montalvo Jodi KimuraAiesha Naomi PeaseMicha RichardsonJodi Kimura
Flamenco SingerAléna WattersLisa MathiesonLannie Rubio

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.[ citation needed ]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult
2022 Drama Desk Awards [24]
Outstanding Actor in a Musical Rob McClure Nominated
Outstanding Wig and Hair Design David Brian BrownWon
Outer Critics Circle Award [25] Outstanding New MusicalNominated
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 [26] [27] Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical Rob McClure Nominated

Related Research Articles

<i>Into the Woods</i> 1987 musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine

Into the Woods is a 1987 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine.

<i>Company</i> (musical) 1970 musical comedy

Company is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth. The original 1970 production was nominated for a record-setting 14 Tony Awards, winning six. Company was among the first book musicals to deal with contemporary dating, marriage, and divorce, and is a notable example of a concept musical lacking a linear plot. In a series of vignettes, Company follows bachelor Bobby interacting with his married friends, who throw a party for his 35th birthday.

Wayne Kirkpatrick is an American songwriter and musician born in Greenville, MS, who now lives in Nashville, Tennessee. He graduated from Baton Rouge Magnet High School in 1979. His younger brother is American screenwriter and director Karey Kirkpatrick.

<i>Mrs. Doubtfire</i> 1993 American comedy-drama film by Chris Columbus

Mrs. Doubtfire is a 1993 American comedy-drama film directed by Chris Columbus and written by Randi Mayem Singer and Leslie Dixon, based on the 1987 novel, Madame Doubtfire, by Anne Fine. Robin Williams, who also served as a producer, stars with Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein and Robert Prosky. It follows a recently divorced actor who disguises himself as an elderly female housekeeper to be able to interact with his children. The film addresses themes of divorce, separation, and the effect that they have on a family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Lapine</span> American stage director and librettist

James Elliot Lapine is an American stage director, playwright, screenwriter, and librettist. He has won the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical three times, for Into the Woods, Falsettos, and Passion. He has frequently collaborated with Stephen Sondheim and William Finn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karey Kirkpatrick</span> American screenwriter, director, and producer

Karey Kirkpatrick is an American screenwriter, film director, and producer. His films include Chicken Run, The Rescuers Down Under, James and the Giant Peach,Over the Hedge, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Charlotte's Web, and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. He has also directed the films Over the Hedge,Imagine That starring Eddie Murphy as well as Smallfoot. Kirkpatrick wrote the English-language screenplays for the U.S. releases of the Studio Ghibli films The Secret World of Arrietty in 2012 and From Up on Poppy Hill in 2013.

<i>Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street</i> 1979 musical by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a 1979 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler. It is based on the 1970 play Sweeney Todd by Christopher Bond. The character of Sweeney Todd first appeared in a Victorian penny dreadful titled The String of Pearls.

<i>Little Shop of Horrors</i> (musical) 1982 horror comedy rock musical by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman

Little Shop of Horrors is a horror comedy rock musical with music by Alan Menken and lyrics and a book by Howard Ashman. The story follows a hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood and flesh. The musical is loosely based on the low-budget 1960 black comedy film The Little Shop of Horrors. The music, composed by Menken in the style of early 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown, includes several well-known tunes, including the title song, "Skid Row (Downtown)", "Somewhere That's Green", and "Suddenly, Seymour".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Sondheim Theatre</span> Broadway theater in Manhattan, New York

The Stephen Sondheim Theatre, formerly Henry Miller's Theatre, is a Broadway theater at 124 West 43rd Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Owned by the Durst Organization and managed by the Roundabout Theatre Company, the modern 1,055-seat theater opened in 2009 at the base of the Bank of America Tower. The current theater is mostly underground and was designed by Cookfox, architects of the Bank of America Tower. It retains the landmarked facade of the original Henry Miller's Theatre, which was built in 1918 by Henry Miller, the actor and producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gavin Lee</span> British actor

Gavin Lee is an English actor who has appeared on the stage in musical theatre, notably as Bert in the musical Mary Poppins, in both the West End and on Broadway, and as Squidward Tentacles in the original Broadway cast of SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical.

The Roundabout Theatre Company is a non-profit theatre company based in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, affiliated with the League of Resident Theatres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raúl Esparza</span> American actor

Raúl Eduardo Esparza is an American actor and singer. Considered one of Broadway's most prominent leading men since the 2000s, he is best known for his Tony Award-nominated performance as Bobby in the 2006 Broadway revival of Company and for his television role as New York Assistant District Attorney (ADA) Rafael Barba in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, where he had a recurring role in Season 14 and was promoted to a series regular in Seasons 15 to 19.

Sam Buntrock is an English stage director.

David Hibbard is an American stage performer, primarily known for Broadway musicals and television commercial voiceovers. Since 1999, Hibbard has been a teacher of vocal performance and audition technique at Collaborative Arts Project 21 (CAP21), once affiliated with New York University Tisch School of the Arts and now a part of Molloy College in Rockville Centre, Long Island with studio space at Molloy College Manhattan Center.

Rob McClure is an American actor and singer, best known for his work on the Broadway stage.

<i>Something Rotten!</i> Musical that premiered on Broadway in 2015

Something Rotten! is a musical comedy with a book by John O'Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick and music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Set in 1595, the story follows the Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel, who struggle to find success in the theatrical world as they compete with the wild popularity of their contemporary William Shakespeare.

<i>The Cher Show</i> (musical) 2018 American jukebox musical

The Cher Show is a jukebox musical with a book by Rick Elice that tells the story of the life and career of Cher, using songs that she performed throughout her career. The part of Cher is played by three actresses: one portraying her in the 1950s and 60s, one for the 1970s, and one for the 1980s and 90s. The three interact with each other and help each other out at various points.

<i>& Juliet</i> 2019 jukebox musical

& Juliet is a 2019 coming-of-age jukebox musical featuring the music of Swedish pop songwriter Max Martin, with a book by David West Read. The story focuses on a "what if" scenario, where Juliet does not die at the end of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

<i>MJ the Musical</i> Jukebox musical

MJ the Musical is a jukebox musical based on the life of the American entertainer Michael Jackson. It features Jackson's music with a book by Lynn Nottage, and choreography by Christopher Wheeldon.

<i>Almost Famous</i> (musical) 2019 musical based on the 2000 film

Almost Famous is a 2019 stage musical with music by Tom Kitt, lyrics by Cameron Crowe and Kitt, and a book by Crowe. It is based on the 2000 film of the same name written and directed by Crowe.

References

  1. Healy, Patrick (August 1, 2013). "Like the Movie, Only Different". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2019-07-29.
  2. Jeffery, Morgan (May 17, 2016). "Mrs Doubtfire: The Musical has been put on hold". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2019-07-29.
  3. Romano, Nick (August 28, 2018). "Mrs. Doubtfire musical is officially in the works and aiming for Broadway". EW.com. Retrieved 2019-07-29.
  4. 1 2 Clement, Olivia (September 5, 2019). "Rob McClure to Star in World Premiere of Mrs. Doubtfire Musical". Playbill.
  5. McPhee, Ryan (June 6, 2019). "Mrs. Doubtfire Musical Will Make Its World Premiere in Seattle". Playbill. Retrieved 2019-07-29.
  6. 1 2 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.
  7. Gans, Andrew (19 October 2020). "Doreen Montalvo, Star of In the Heights and On Your Feet!, Dies at 56". Playbill. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  8. "The Shutdown Continues: All Performances of Broadway Shows Now Suspended Through June 7". Broadway.com. April 8, 2020. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  9. Paulson, Michael (May 5, 2021). "Broadway Is Reopening. But Not Until September". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  10. Evans, Greg (May 10, 2021). "'Mrs. Doubtfire' Musical Announces Fall Broadway Return With Rob McClure In Title Role". Deadline. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  11. Culwell-Block, Logan (2022-01-02). "Broadway's Mrs. Doubtfire to Take 9-Week Hiatus". Playbill. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  12. Chapman, Wilson (March 18, 2022). "'Mrs. Doubtfire' Delays Broadway Reopening to April". Variety. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  13. "Last performance May 29!". Instagram: doubtfirebway. May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  14. Mayo, Douglas (2021-11-07). "Mrs Doubtfire musical to have UK premiere in Manchester in 2022". British Theatre. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  15. Tan, Ain't No Other (2022-09-06). "Theatre Review: Mrs. Doubtfire". Tan's Topics. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  16. 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.
  17. "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.
  18. Culwell-Block, Logan (April 4, 2023). "Mrs. Doubtfire Stage Musical to Tour North America".
  19. Wild, Stephi. "Rob McClure Will Reprise His Role MRS. DOUBTFIRE on Tour Alongside Real-Life Wife Maggie Lakis". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  20. "Mrs. Doubtfire Completes Casting for the National Tour - TheaterMania.com". 2023-08-21. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
  21. 1 2 "Mrs. Doubtfire (Broadway, Stephen Sondheim Theatre, 2021)". Playbill. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  22. "Helloooooo London! - It's MRS DOUBTFIRE..." London Box Office. 2022-11-15. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
  23. "Cast". Mrs. Doubtfire. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  24. "66th Drama Desk Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved 2022-05-16.
  25. "71st Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle Awards. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
  26. "2022 Tony Award Nominations". Tony Awards. May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  27. 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.