Theater Review: 'Mrs. Doubtfire' Tour at The Bushnell

By Nancy Sasso Janis

Hartford - “Mrs. Doubtfire The New Musical Comedy” is currently on tour after a truncated run on Broadway due to the pandemic. The Broadway production closed in May of last year after 43 previews and 83 regular performances.

In April 2023, it was announced that the show would embark on a North American national tour this fall. 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. McClure has appeared on Broadway in “Beetlejuice,” “Something Rotten!” and “Honeymoon in Vegas.” His real-life wife Maggie Lakis also joined the tour in the role of Miranda Hillard.

To say that McClure leads this cast is an understatement. As he constantly switches between Daniel and Euphegenia Doubtfire, sometimes onstage, he is a force to be reckoned with. While the actor has assistance with his innumerable quick changes, he manages them efficiently, and it is actually fun to watch. McClure is the ultimate triple threat, and also masters multiple voices as did Robin Williams and acts as his own puppeteer. He is even required to appear onstage in his underwear.

Lakis (who played Bea in the first national tour of “Something Rotten) is a delight as Daniel’s former wife, played by Sally Field in the film. She demonstrates the many sides of her character, changed from a work-obsessed interior designer to the chair of a workout wear company.

Giselle Gutierrez, a singer/songwriter from Florida who is currently a sophomore BFA musical theater major, plays younger as the oldest daughter Lydia (“Just Pretend.”) Aaron Kaburick (“Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Something Rotten” on Broadway) is so much fun to watch as Frank Hillard, with Nik Alexander a standout in the role of his husband Andre Mayem.

West End leading man and British baritone Leo Roberts plays the handsome Stuart Dunmire, and Romelda Teron Benjamin is great in the role of inquisitive court liaison Wanda Sellner. I saw Axel Bernard Rimmele as Christopher Hillard, a role he shares with Cody Sawyer Braverman, and Kennedy Alexandra Pitney as young Natalie Hillard, the role she shares with Emerson Mae Chan. David Hibbard, who appeared in this show on Broadway, plays television personality Mr. Jolly. Maui native Jodi Kimura reprises her (usually dour) role of Janet Lundy and nails the comic timing. The talented members of the ensemble cover a large number of supporting roles.

The book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell closely follows the script of the beloved motion picture, with many of the classic lines that would have been missed if they were not included. The script is full of jokes and fun and is perfect for the entire family with a message of “As Long As There is Love.”

There are great musical numbers throughout the two acts that move the story along written by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick. This is the team that brought “Something Rotten!” to Broadway and “Doubtfire” shares the heartwarming and funny tone of their previous work.

Beautiful San Francisco features prominently in the backdrops. The eatery for Miranda’s birthday celebration and Daniel’s interview is now a Spanish restaurant and the best bits of the pool scene are now in a gym.

The costumes designed by Catherine Zuber and impressive hair and wig design by David Brian Brown are so well executed, especially for Daniel/Mrs. Doubtfire. The characters in “Make Me A Woman” are a delight to see.

There is fun choreography by Lorin Latarro that fleshes out the production numbers. My companion had seen the Broadway production and noticed that the scenic design by David Korins had been cut down a bit. The orchestra, with local musicians enhancing the tour artists, sounded great under the direction of Mark Binns.

There was a technical issue in the first act on opening night that was dealt with quickly. McClure ushered the young performers off the stage in the Mrs. Doubtfire character and endearingly acknowledged her return to the stage with a small bow. The short hold gave McClure a chance to (mostly) fix a costume issue.

"Mrs. Doubtfire" will continue at the Bushnell in Hartford through Oct. 8. Tickets: bushnell.org/shows-con...

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.