Yahoo News Review: A warm, laugh-filled ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ at Nederlander Theatre
Broadway producers often are surprised to find that audiences outside New York City vote with their wallets for very different kinds of shows that become hits in Manhattan. Take, for example, the deconstructive 2019 revival of “Oklahoma!” that found enthusiastic reviews and audiences in New York but then met with canceled road bookings and hinterland America walking out in droves at intermission.
“Mrs. Doubtfire” is the reverse case, a sweet, big-hearted, family-oriented show that died fast on Broadway (although COVID was a huge factor), then successfully sought rehabilitation in London’s West End and now has been a deservedly strong hit on its current national tour. Penned by the “Something Rotten!” songwriting team of Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick (with John O’Farrell co-writing the book with Karey), “Mrs. Doubtfire” hews closely to the much-loved Robin Williams movie about a chaotic actor, Daniel, who loses a custody battle in a divorce and disguises himself as a stern Scottish nanny in order to spend more time with his three kids.
The movie works well as a musical because its narrative wants to save a flailing family, performative possibilities abound, and the message preaches acceptance and tolerance. The show ultimately says there are many different kinds of families and, despite the myriad flaws of parents, the presence of love means that everything else can be fixed by people with goodwill toward each other.
I enjoyed “Oklahoma!” and have always thought of Chicago as the one American city with enough experience and openness to both appreciate radically experimental shows and eschew the blinkered disdain for regular folks that you sometimes find in siloed Manhattan theater-makers. After a tough week’s work, “Mrs. Doubtfire” is the kind of show where you can just relax and enjoy yourself. Maybe even with the kids along. (The movie’s one PG-13 scene was nixed.)
The score is not groundbreaking, but it’s witty and accessible. The characters certainly are familiar types. And anyone calling Jerry Zaks an auteur probably risks a thwack on the head — the 77-year-old director just still happens to be the best in the business when it comes to the intersection of musicals and comedy. I’ve no idea what Broadway will do when he hangs it up. The man’s shows are varied of subject and style, yada, yada, but I don’t believe I ever have seen one all these years that was not funny.
And, believe me, and even in this slightly cut-down road version (the pit could use more musicians), “Mrs. Doubtfire” still pulls down laugh after laugh. All night long. You know you’re in Zaks territory when the cast of characters includes Loopy Lenny, Mr. Jolly and Rectisol Doctor. (Stay away if that’s not your thing).
But the success of Wednesday night’s opening is due in no small measure to the show’s original star, Rob McClure, who is a formidable physical comedian and vocal pyromaniac who knew from the start that he had to honor Williams but not let his character get too deep inside his head. McClure’s beautifully calibrated performance, which I’ve seen twice now (I was one of this show’s few New York supporters), really is a masterclass in top-lining a musical comedy: he’s up there with the likes of Nathan Lane and Brad Oscar and Harvey Fierstein, even if his potency is less immediately obvious. Plus, McClure is an uncommonly generous and willing-to-listen actor who throws a lot of attention on the other performers in this ensemble, such as Aaron Kaburick, who plays Daniel’s brother and Giselle Gutierrez, who plays both his teenage daughter and main antagonist.
Given that they are married in real life, I can’t imagine what it’s like for McClure and Maggie Lakis, who plays Miranda, to play a couple going through a divorce night after night. Maybe they get to vent all their frustrations to their spouse’s onstage persona, enjoy a catharsis eight times a week and then always fall asleep happy, humming a little Scottish ditty.
Chris Jones is a Tribune critic.
Review: “Mrs. Doubtfire” (3.5 stars)
When: Through March 10
Where: Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St.
Running time: 2 hours, 25 minutes
Tickets: $44-$116 at www.broadwayinchicago.com
