Special to The Columbus Dispatch
A family musical about fatherhood, children and divorce is finding vindication on the road after Broadway.One of the few tours led by the star who originated the title role onstage, “Mrs. Doubtfire” will open Tuesday at the Ohio Theatre.
“It’s definitely a comedy, but also a big-hearted family musical with surprising emotional turns. People come expecting to laugh, but say they didn’t expect to tear up, too,” said screenwriter/director Karey Kirkpatrick (“Chicken Run,” “Over the Hedge,” “Smallfoot”), who co-wrote the show’s book, music and lyrics.
With Kirkpatrick, composer-lyricist Wayne Kirkpatrick and co-author John O’Farrell adapted “Mrs. Doubtfire” from the popular 1993 film comedy of the same name starring Robin Williams.
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What's the musical's focus?
“We could relate to the subject matter. All three of us felt we had something to say as fathers completely committed to our children,” Karey said.
The creative team – whose 2015 Broadway debut was Tony-nominated “Something Rotten!,” – sensed fresh possibilities in adapting “Mrs. Doubtfire” into a rare musical about the impact of divorce.
“We felt we could stay true to the movie, but delve deeper into the complexities of a family finding positive ways to navigate through divorce,” said Wayne, Karey’s older brother and a Nashville-based songwriter (“Change the World,” the Grammy-winning 1997 Song of the Year).
The musical focuses more on the dad’s relationship with his three children, especially 15-year-old Lydia.
“As the oldest daughter of a man-child, she processes the divorce differently, holding her dad accountable in a way the other kids don’t,” Karey said.
“This isn’t a show about a couple who split, the guy changes, and they get back together − because that would create an unfair and inaccurate expectation for children of divorce. .... "'Mrs. Doubtfire' is really a father-daughter story,” Karey said.
How different is Rob McClure from Robin Williams?
Williams memorably played divorcee Daniel Hillard and Scottish-nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire, a well-disguised persona conceived from Daniel’s desperation to spend more time with his children.
“Early on, a lot of people thought Williams would be a tough act to follow. But you forget about Robin after the first five minutes, because Rob has such command of the role,” Wayne said.
Rob McClure, starring on tour, received 2022 Tony and Drama Desk nominations for best musical actor on Broadway.
“We’re lucky to have Rob, a phenomenal talent, in this incredibly demanding role,” Karey said.
“A masterful comic performer with a lot of heart, Rob nails all the comedy and vocals and is a fantastic voice impressionist. He bridges the line between comic mayhem and the pathos of this piece,” Karey said.
Although the musical incorporates signature moments from the film (notably, the pie in the face and the “boobs on fire” cooking scene), the stage role offered additional possibilities.
“Rob does things Robin couldn’t do. ... The comparison doesn’t go away, but the minute Rob opens his mouth to sing and dance, the audience realizes it’s a different reality,” Wayne said.
How does McClure approach his roles?
McClure embraces the comic and dramatic dimensions and complex psychology of his double role.
“Daniel is a bit of a man-child, a friend to his kids, but not necessarily a dad. He learns a lot about being a good parent by being Mrs. Doubtfire,” McClure said.
When unemployed, Daniel learns his ex-wife wants to hire a nanny, and he transforms himself to get the job.
“Nobody is interested in me doing an impression of Robin, but I hope to make the audience feel what he made people feel: that warmth,” McClure said.
McClure appreciates the themes.
“How far would you go to be with those you love? It’s out of that need and desperation that great comedy can arise. ... In this case, watching a dad go to absurd lengths to be with his children. The audience doesn’t write Daniel off as a lunatic because he’s so madly in love with his family,” McClure said.
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How do the Doubtfire transformations work?
During the 2½-hour two-act, McClure makes 31 quick-changing transformations into or out of Scottish-nanny disguise.
“What raises the stakes for me and the audience is that it’s real, happening in real time,” he said.
“When Robin returns 18 seconds later in the movie, you know they called ‘cut’ for his longer costume change. But there are no tricks onstage,” McClure said.
The longest transformation lasts 90 seconds; the shortest, 18.
“Team Effie, my four backstage dressers, is like the Indianapolis-500 pit back there. ... The audience panics and sweats with me. They can’t help but be swept up in the immediacy,” McClure said.
How does the lead actress see her role?
Maggie Lakis, McClure’s wife, plays Daniel’s ex-wife.
“Miranda hopes for a relationship where they can co-parent their kids,” Lakis said. “Daniel being spontaneous and funny was thrilling for her when Miranda fell in love with him, but as she grew up and settled down, he didn’t grow up with her, and she becomes frustrated with his antics."
The musical “adds meat” to the characters, according to Lakis.
“You get to see what Miranda and the children are feeling. Plus, Daniel sees a side of the family that wasn’t seen in the movie,” she said.
In “Let Go,” Miranda reveals what went wrong in her marriage.
“You hear deep regret and sadness that it didn’t work out,” Lakis said.
Lakis says her 14-year marriage to McClure enhances their onstage chemistry.
“If you watch a couple married a long time ... you sense how well they know each other. We know and trust each other so well,” she said.
How the musical found success after Broadway
For McClure, the tour vindicates his faith in a musical that didn’t last long in New York.
“This tour feels like unfinished business, so there’s gratitude to get to finally do it again,” McClure said. “Mrs. Doubtfire” had only three Broadway previews before COVID shut down live theater. Producers tried to reopen twice, in 2021 and 2022, but family audiences were kept away by uncertainties over shifting vaccine rules and availability for kids.
Although Broadway reviews were mixed, a South Korea tour sold out and the London premiere in May garnered raves. The Daily Telegraph called it “a complete joy,” and the Manchester Evening News hailed “Mrs. Doubtfire” as “wonderful, heart-warming, and laugh-out-loud funny.”
“We were trying to build a new family show with so much heart,” McClure said. “Now we’re finally able to tell this story with warmth and beautiful energy.”
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At a glance
PNC Broadway in Columbus and the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts will present “Mrs. Doubtfire” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday − Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. Tickets start at $39. (614-469-0939, cbusarts.com)
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