“Mrs. Doubtfire” Hits All the Right

Notes at The Fabulous Fox

by Pat Lindsey

When I first learned that the classic movie, “Mrs. Doubtfire,” was being adapted as a stage musical, I wondered who in the world could play Robin Williams’s iconic role of Daniel Hillard. I was excited to find out that two-time Tony-winner Rob McClure got the job. On opening night at The Fabulous Fox, however, his very capable understudy, Alex Branton, jumped into the role and gave a stellar performance. He, like McClure, has the energy, hyperactivity, voices, and acting chops to replicate the role. More than that, he brings a lot of heart to the divorced father character who pretends to be a Scottish nanny so that he can spend more time with his kids.

“Mrs. Doubtfire the Musical” is a perfect holiday show. It’s all about family. Even though it deals with the serious subject of divorce, it strikes many hilarious chords and is fun for all ages. The music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick are excellent for updating this show. The songs are good and give everyone in the cast a chance to showcase their fantastic voices. Among the standouts is Giselle Gutierrez, who plays Daniel’s 15 year-old daughter, Lydia. She gives an impressive performance singing, “What the Hell” and “Just Pretend.”

Maggie Lakis plays Miranda Hillard, Daniel’s stressed out wife who wants a divorce. Prior to the divorce proceedings, Miranda comments that Daniel has three children, but she has four. Her main problem with Daniel is that he never grew up. He can’t keep a job and he’s been known to take his children out of school early so they can go out and have fun together. The straw that breaks Miranda’s back is the day Daniel threw a birthday party for his son, Christopher (Cody Braverman) after Miranda warned him not to do it. Miranda is weary from getting ready to launch her own line of athletic wear when she comes home to find her house full of kids and commotion. Totally exasperated and out of patience, she throws Daniel out of the house and the divorce ensues.

The judge in divorce court is not kind to Daniel. He gives sole custody of the three kids to Miranda with the promise that he will review the case in three months. In the meantime, Daniel has to get a job and a new place to live and prove that he is capable of providing for his children. A case worker named Wanda Sellner (Romelda Teron Benjamin) is assigned to keep tabs on Daniel’s progress. The outrage and confusion that Mrs. Sellner (Benjamin) demonstrates every time she visits Daniel and his brother opens another avenue of hillarity. Daniel’s brother Frank (Aaron Kaburick) is a gay man whose voice gets extremely loud every time he tells a lie. The tangled web that Daniel begins to weave causes Frank to lie often. Every time he sounds off, the audience breaks into laughter.

Daniel’s solution for not being able to see his kids every day is solved when he applies to his ex-wife’s ad for a nanny. He creates the character, Mrs. Doubtfire, and gets the job as the nanny. To keep the job, he has to learn to cook, clean and care for the kids. He succeeds at managing a well-organized household as a Scottish nanny until Miranda’s birthday when he is invited to join the family celebration at a Mexican restaurant with Miranda’s new boyfriend, Stuart. Daniel has also accepted an invitation for dinner that same night at the same restaurant by his future employer, Janet Lundy (Jodi Kimura). The web gets more and more tangled as Daniel switches back and forth between being Daniel and Mrs. Doubtfire as he has dinner at two different tables. The audience can see in real time the frenzy that takes place during several costume changes.

When Miranda finally discovers Mrs. Doubtfire’s true identity, all hell breaks loose. The judge still finds Daniel irresponsible and allows Miranda to have sole custody of the kids. Just when the audience begins to think that Daniel ruined his chances for being a good dad, things change and the story takes a turn toward a happy ending.

Not all movies that were made into comedy musicals have worked, but this one does. It’s delightfully funny. It has a brilliant cast, wonderful sets, good music, and great directing by Jerry Zaks. It’s a feel-good show any time of the year, but especially during the holidays. It’s now playing at The Fabulous Fox through Jan. 7. Tickets are available through Metrotix at 314-534-1111 or visit The Fox box office.

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