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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Mrs. Doubtfire Also see Gil's reviews of 'Night Motherc and The Trial of One Short-Sighted Black Woman vs. Mammy Louise and Safreeta Mae
Set in San Francisco, the plot follows Daniel, a fun-loving, struggling voice actor with a knack for impersonation, whose life unravels when his wife Miranda files for divorce. Faced with losing custody of his three children, Daniel devises a wild plan to help him see his children on a daily basis: he transforms into Mrs. Doubtfire, a Scottish nanny who wins the hearts of the family, all while keeping his true identity a secret. As Mrs. Doubtfire, Daniel discovers more about himself and the importance of family, all while trying to juggle the chaos of maintaining his dual persona. But Daniel also realizes that keeping up the ruse is more challenging than he first thought. Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell's book is sharp and funny and features a delightful mix of comedy and heartfelt moments, staying true to the spirit and the most of the plot of the original film while updating the setting to the current time period and adding a few fun and fresh elements. Jerry Zaks' direction ensures the humor doesn't overpower the heartfelt moments in the show, including a nice coda at the end that echoes the heartwarming film ending. Zaks' staging and Lorin Latarro's choreography create several showstopping moments, including one in the first act when Daniel as Doubtfire tries to get cooking tips from the internet, and one in the second act that I won't spoil in order not to ruin the hilarity it brings. Rob McClure's performance as Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire is excellent. He brings an infectious energy and charm to the role, seamlessly transitioning between the lovable goofiness of Daniel and the stern wit of Mrs. Doubtfire. His comedic timing is sharp, eliciting plenty of laughs, while also capturing the vulnerability and desperation of a father willing to do anything to stay close to his children. McClure's authentic portrayal ensures that the audience sympathizes with Daniel, even when his actions border on the absurd. His ability to embody the physicality of Mrs. Doubtfire while also delivering nuanced emotional moments relevant to both characters, demonstrates his versatility and skill in making both roles entirely unique. It's also very fun to watch him transform on stage before our eyes. Whether he's sailing through the many fast-paced costume changes he has in the show, entertaining the audience with his hilarious dance moves, or pouring out his heart in quieter scenes, McClure anchors the show with a standout performance that perfectly balances comedy and sentiment. As Miranda, Catherine Brunell has a tough role to play, that of the judgmental, practical and firm woman who, at first, gets in the way of Daniel from seeing his kids. Brunell manages to bring warmth to the role and make the audience, and Daniel, realize that her actions are only a result of her complicated feelings about Daniel's irresponsibility and her desire to do what she believes is best for her family. Brunell is very good in the role, with a singing voice that shines on her several solos. As their three children, Lydia, Christopher, and Natalie, Giselle Gutierrez, Axel Bernard Rimmele, and Sunny Lauren Hoder, respectively, create realistic characters appropriately conflicted by their parent's divorce. Gutierrez has an earthy voice that brings depth and emotion to her solos and Rimmele and Hoder add some fun pops of humor in their scenes. (Sam Bird and Charlotte Sydney Harrington alternate with Rimmele and Hoder in the roles of Christopher and Natalie). Aaron Kaburick and Marquez Linder are hilarious as Daniel's brother Frank and his husband Andre, makeup artists who help Daniel with his transformation into Mrs. Doubtfire. Kaburick and Linder have sharp comic timing and get many laughs but also bring a realism to these individuals who offer emotional support to Daniel, creating characters who are audience favorites. With a gorgeous singing voice, Leo Roberts is appropriately good-natured as Stuart, Miranda's charming love interest who makes Daniel frustrated, and Romelda Teron Benjamin is firm but bright as the no-nonsense court liaison officer. The ensemble shines creating multiple roles and delivering the bright and fun choreography. The imaginative and dynamic set design by David Korins uses a series of drops with San Francisco cityscapes and a few, large set pieces to effortlessly transport the audience between the many locations in the show, including the cozy and orderly Hillard family home and Daniel's ramshackle apartment. Catherine Zuber's costumes and David Brian Brown's wigs for Mrs. Doubtfire evoke the designs from the film, and the rest are all character specific. However, while the performances and creative designs shine, the musical numbers in Mrs. Doubtfire are only somewhat average. This is surprising since Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick, who wrote the score, were also responsible for the catchy music and hilarious and smart lyrics for Something Rotten!. While some of the songs are upbeat and fun, they never truly rise to the infectious level of the memorable showstoppers in Something Rotten!. However, there are some nice ballads, including some for Daniel and Miranda that help flesh out their feelings. Mrs. Doubtfire may not be perfect, but it is a delightful, family-friendly musical that captures the heart and humor of the original film while offering a fresh and fun theatrical take on the beloved movie. Rob McClure's dynamic performance often makes up for the score's lack of staying power, and the show's imaginative and bright creative aspects, the charm of the characters, and the humor of the story help to elevate the material into an entertaining and heartfelt musical production. Mrs. Doubtfire runs through September 22, 2024, at ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Avenue, Tempe AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.asugammage.com or call 480-965-3434. For more information on the tour, visit mrsdoubtfirebroadway.com. Music & Lyrics: Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick Cast: |
