Mrs. Doubtfire (musical)

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Mrs. Doubtfire
The New Musical Comedy
Mrs Doubtfire (musical) - 2021 Playbill.jpeg
2021 Broadway playbill
Music
Lyrics
  • Wayne Kirkpatrick
  • Karey Kirkpatrick
Book
BasisMrs. Doubtfire
by Randi Mayem Singer
Leslie Dixon
PremiereNovember 16, 2019: 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle
Productions

Mrs. Doubtfire is a musical with music and lyrics by Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick and a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell. It is based on the 1993 film of the same name.

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 .[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 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 scheduled opening night of April 5.[6] Due to Governor Andrew Cuomo's response to the coronavirus pandemic, all Broadway productions were suspended on March 12 2020 and were ultimately set to resume the week of September 14, 2021. Mrs. Doubtfire resumed previews on October 21, 2021, with the official opening night on December 5, 2021.[8][9][10] The production will go on a nine-week hiatus from January 10 to March 14, 2022.[11]

Manchester[]

On November 5 2021, it was announced that the musical will make its UK premiere at the Manchester Opera House from 2 September to 1 October 2022.[12]

Other performances[]

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

Musical numbers[]

Source: Playbill[13]

Cast[]

Character Industry Workshop
(2019) 		Broadway[14]
(2021)
Daniel Hillard Rob McClure
Miranda Hillard Kate Baldwin Jenn Gambatese
Frank Hillard Mario Cantone Brad Oscar
Mr. Jolly Peter Bartlett
Wanda Sellner Charity Angél Dawson
Stuart Dunmire Mark Evans
Andre Mayem Michael James Scott J. Harrison Ghee
Lydia Hillard Mallory Bechtel Analise Scarpaci
Christopher Hillard Jake Ryan Flynn
Natalie Hillard Avery Sell
Janet Lundy Doreen Montalvo Jodi Kimura
Flamenco Singer Aléna Watters

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]

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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. "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. ^ 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)
  13. ^ "Inside Playbill Gallery". Playbill. Retrieved 2021-12-06.
  14. ^ "Inside Playbill Gallery". Playbill. Retrieved 2021-12-06.

External links[]

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