Disclosure: New Orleans Mom and The Saenger gifted my family tickets to see Mrs. Doubtfire last night, and while the tickets were a gift, I was not paid to write this post. I am writing this review simply because my family and I enjoyed the show and believe other families will love it as we did.
Hellooooo! Go See Broadway’s Mrs. Doubtfire At The Saenger Now!
Mrs. Doubtfire was one of my favorite movies growing up, and with an all-star cast led by Robin Williams and Sally Fields, the musical adaptation had big shoes to fill. I wondered how the movie would translate to the stage and if it would stay true to the movie many of us 90s kids loved. I was a little unsure as the show began, but I was quickly laughing and appreciating the modern take on a 90s classic.
Robin Williams Would Be Proud
Let’s face it: there is only one Robin Williams, may he rest in peace. Just as I was nervous about Will Smith replacing him as Genie in Aladdin, I had reservations about how his roles of Daniel Hillard / Mrs. Doubtfire would be played. I was thrilled to see that Rob McClure made the role his own while also paying homage to Robin Williams’ portrayal. No wonder he was nominated for Tony for the role. McClure was terrifically talented and showcased himself as a Broadway star as well as an impressive voice actor. He’s exactly what I wanted for the role.
A Modern Spin On A 90s Classic
The story had a few modern twists. The stage adaptation incorporated technology and a very relatable battle for screen time between the kids and Mrs. Doubtfire. My kids, who had seen the movie once a few months ago, were very engaged. Rather than Miranda Hillard being a an interior designer as she was in the film, in the musical, her character created a size and age inclusive fashion line. One story line of the musical involves Daniel’s brother, the hairdresser, who is trying to adopt a baby with his partner.
The Signature Elements Remained
Although the show definitely had its own unique elements, some of my favorite parts still carried over from the movie. The famous scene in Daniel’s apartment where he has to disguise himself with pie in the face was included. I mean, you really can’t have a version of Mrs. Doubtfire without that scene, so I wasn’t surprised to see it. The part where Mrs. Doubtfire’s shirt catches fire while cooking for the family evolved into a hilarious dance number. And, at the end, Mrs. Doubtfire goes on to host her TV show and signs off with the same sweet message that families look different, but the love in one’s heart is all that matters.
Little Kids, Big Stars
We are a theater family, and one of my boys is an aspiring actor. We try to take them to as many live performances as possible, whether that’s experiencing local theater at JPAS, seeing The Nutcracker at Christmas, or catching a Broadway show at the Saenger. While we see many shows that are family-friendly, i.e. Wicked or Jesus Christ Superstar, it is rare that we see shows with child actors. One thing I loved about Mrs. Doubtfire was that my kids had the opportunity to see children their own age on the big stage. The role of Natalie was played by an 8-year-old making her Broadway debut, and that was so special for my own 9-year-old actor to witness. Any opportunity for my kids to see that you don’t have to be big to do big things is an opportunity we all appreciate.
Go See It This Weekend
There are plenty of cheesy elements that the kids will love and lots of adult innuendos that sail right over the kids’ heads that are sure to keep everyone laughing out loud. The last show is this Sunday, May 19 at 6:30. View the performance schedule and get your tickets to see Mrs. Doubtfire here.
