Hey, Poppets! Grab Your Tickets To MRS. DOUBTFIRE — THE NEW MUSICAL COMEDY
I knew it would be a night of laughs during MRS. DOUBTFIRE — THE NEW MUSICAL COMEDY, the latest entry in Broadway Sacramento’s “Broadway On Tour” series. It opened this week at Sacramento’s SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, and runs through October 13. Like the beloved 1993 feature film on which it’s based, the guffaws started early and lasted through the final curtain.
Both in and out of the requisite fat suit, Tony Award-nominee Rob McClure was a whirlwind, leaving me almost breathless as he brought our favorite Scottish nanny to life. He’s my new theatrical obsession. It’s not easy to step into Robin Williams’s sensible shoes, but McClure wears them very well. I, the guy next to me, the woman behind me, and several others in the audience were doubled over during a scene when Mrs. Doubtfire was called upon to model fitness attire.
Jane Fonda she ain’t.
But while I expected to laugh during this stage production of MRS. DOUBTFIRE, I didn’t expect to cry. But I did, a couple of times.
This wonderful show and gifted group of thespians delivered the heart that the feature did, masterfully capturing the emotional complexity of a young family battered by and struggling to recover from divorce. I was Daniel Hillard about 25 years ago, desperately trying to hold on to my kids while my wife and I struggled to let go of each other. Occasionally, like Tuesday night during MRS. DOUBTFIRE, I’m reminded of that challenging time in my life, and that time heals all wounds.
The show also reminded me of another old axiom: laughter is the best medicine. And MRS. DOUBTFIRE is a comedic salve of which we could all use an extra dose.
In addition to McClure, the show features Catherine Brunell as Miranda and Giselle Gutierrez as Lydia, whose voices blended beautifully while reaching the cheap seats. Gutierrez did it again, with McClure during a song late in the show, “Just Pretend.” It reminded me of a conversation with my own eldest daughter, back in the day.
Another talented pairing was Aaron Kaburick as Daniel’s brother Frank and Marquez Linder as his partner, Andre. That duo threatened to steal the show during a disco throw back that any seasoned fan of Donna Summer saw coming a mile away…and this Summer fan lived for it.
This MRS. DOUBTFIRE touched on all of my favorite jokes and sight gags from the original film — yes, the nanny’s breasts burst into flame, she knocks her face out of the window, and she witnesses a “run-by fruiting” — while adding a few others.
Some of those new jokes, like one which referenced James Bond, went right over the heads of younger audience members. Mrs. Doubtfire turned to her iPad and Siri for help in preparing dinner, and this show brought the resulting instructional video hysterically to life. Daniel’s son catches him with his face half off, instead of catching his dad in the loo, in this show, making that moment much more accessible to young children.
And Mrs. Doubtfire’s final monologue that closes the show added a brief line that I always thought was missing from the 90s feature, bringing the story squarely into the 21st century.
Should you sleep on this production of MRS. DOUBTFIRE?
To borrow from one of the show’s excellent songs, that’s a “Big Fat No!” Treat yourself and your family to a night of hilarity, and catch this show.
This review was first published by sacculturalhub.com.
Tickets for MRS. DOUBTFIRE — THE NEW MUSICAL COMEDY are available at broadwaysacramento.com.
