Review Roundup: MRS. DOUBTFIRE Launches National Tour; What Are the Critics Saying?

The National Tour of Mrs. Doubtfire is now underway! The production features Tony-nominated Broadway leading man Rob McClure, reprising his role as Daniel Hillard/Euphegenia Doubtfire. McClure is joined by renowned actress and real-life wife, Maggie Lakis as Miranda Hillard.

Joining McClure and Lakis are Giselle Gutierrez as Lydia Hillard, Aaron Kaburick as Frank Hillard, Nik Alexander as Andre Mayem, Leo Roberts as Stuart Dunmire, Romelda Teron Benjamin as Wanda Sellner, Cody Sawyer Braverman and Axel Bernard Rimmele as Christopher Hillard, and Emerson Mae Chan and Kennedy Alexandra Pitney as Natalie Hillard.

The cast also includes David Hibbard, Alex Branton, Jonathan Hoover, Sheila Jones, Julie Kavanagh, Jodi Kimura, Marquez Linder, Alex Ringler, Bianca Rivera-Irions, Lannie Rubio, Neil Starkenberg, Joey Stone, Gina Ward, Lauryn Withnell, and Julia Yameen.

The 2023-2024 North American Tour of Mrs. Doubtfire launched at Shea's Performing Arts Center in Buffalo before continuing on to play 30+ cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Nashville and more. 

What are the critics saying about the musical? Read the reviews so far below!

Nancy Sasso Janis, Nancy Sasso Janis: To say that McClure leads this cast is an understatement. As he constantly switches between Daniel and Euphegenia Doubtfire, sometimes onstage, he is a force to be reckoned with. While the actor has assistance with his innumerable quick changes, he manages them efficiently, and it is actually fun to watch. McClure is the ultimate triple threat, and also masters multiple voices as did Robin Williams and acts as his own puppeteer. He is even required to appear onstage in his underwear.

Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant: “Mrs. Doubtfire” fires on all cylinders, including the two starring roles played by Rob McClure. The Broadway stalwart (who was also on the ground floor of “Something Rotten”) has been with every U.S. iteration of this show — in regional theater, then on Broadway and now on its first national tour. He is profoundly appealing both as the irrepressible impressionist Daniel Hillard and as Hillard’s greatest creation: Euphegenia Doubtfire, the Scottish woman he embodies so that he can spend time with his kids after his hyper enthusiasm and obliviousness to certain grown-up responsibilities screws up his marriage.

Mary Lincer, BroadwayWorld: McClure sings, acts, dances (duh); he plays two characters at the same time; he does voices (e.g. Gollum, ET, Miss Piggy, Agent Orange [that's what Spike Lee calls the 45th POTUS, who shall not be named]); he can beatbox, work puppets, and Rob McClure can change costumes, very frequently--yeah, sure, in the wings with dressers--but also in full view of the audience sometimes with the help of other characters and sometimes alone. So frequently! But you know what else? He can give focus, because this is not a one-man show, and several other performers help tell Mrs. Doubtfire's story. So Rob McClure shares the spotlight: talented, generous, and only seven more performances in DC.

Gail Golden, Buffalo Rising: Mr. McClure certainly deserved the nomination! He is a multi-talented dynamo - rapping, tapping, singing ballads, doing comedy numbers, puppeteering, doing lots of voices, and changing costumes dozens and dozens of times. This is a whirlwind of a performance and both “Daniel” and “Daniel as Mrs. Doubtfire” are genuine, sweet, funny, and zany! I hope Mr. McClure can keep up this pace for the 30 cities across the continent. We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to see his brilliant work here in Western New York!

Eric Colchamiro, MD Theatre Guide: At the center of it is Tony-nominated Rob McClure as Euphegenia Doubtfire. McClure’s Doubtfire is zany, snarky when necessary, especially with Miranda’s new love interest Stuart, an appropriately buff Leo Roberts. He is all over the stage with excitement in contrast to the more reserved Miranda, played by McClure’s real-life wife, Maggie Lakis.

Em Skow, DC Theater Arts: Leading the national tour as he did the original Broadway cast was Rob McClure as Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire. A tour de force performance that has already garnered him Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle nominations remains just as joyful, heartfelt, and captivatingly frenetic as ever. I know I was not the only one watching McClure’s performance knowing that Robin Williams would be proud. Whether piling on the silly in “It’s About Time,” as a jealous Mrs. Doubtfire in “Big Fat No,” or pulling on heartstrings in “I Want to Be There” and the tender duet “Just Pretend” with eldest daughter Lydia (played by the wonderful silky-voiced Giselle Gutierrez), McClure’s comedic timing, vocal impressions, and physical acrobatics were all spectacular from start to finish.

Jay Pateakos, BroadwayWorld: Besides the non-stop comedy, Mrs. Doubtfire packs a huge heart as the family deals with the ramifications from a divorce and the balance of seeing their parents seperately and dealing with their mom's new love interest Stuart Dunmire, played by Leo Roberts. As a divorced dad myself, many of the notes of this musical hit home and no song struck a bigger cord than Miranda's incredibly touching 'Let Go', something many of us struggle with, throughout life.

Kathie Raleigh, The Independent: Leading man Rob McClure brings a wealth of talent to portraying Daniel Hillard, the father who transforms himself into the title character; he earned a Tony Award nomination for the role, which he originated on Broadway. He is a hilarious comic with innate timing among his treasure chest of skills, including the ability to create voices ranging from Kermit the Frog to Darth Vader. Do not be late for the start of the show — it’s a showcase for those voices.

Kimberly Rau, News Talk: The actors are the best part about this show. Rob McClure reprises his Broadway role as Daniel, and plays the character very well. It’s not his fault the show stinks. Some of the best moments in the show (and there are some good moments) are when McClure really lets Daniel’s character run wild, particularly when he’s messing around at his job at the television studio. And it’s not Maggie Lakis’ fault that her lovely voice is lost on the few solos that Miranda gets. The kids (Giselle Gutierrez as Lydia, Axel Bernard Rimmele as Chris and Emerson Mae Chan as Natalie) are great. The brothers (Aaron Kaburik as Frank and Nik Alexander as husband Andre) are hilarious and play off each other’s energies beautifully. But the show falls flat and tries too hard to be something it never was, and the best actors in the world can’t save that. (Neither can watching Oscar Wilde doing disco splits, a particularly surreal moment during the montage where Frank and Andre are trying to figure out what Daniel’s “look” will be as a woman.)

Jeffrey Ellis, BroadwayWorld: Rob McClure’s masterful turn onstage as the redoubtable title character is reason enough to make sure you see Mrs. Doubtfire, The New Musical Comedy, now onstage at Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Andrew Jackson Hall through Sunday. But odds are you’ll find so much more to love about this musical adaptation – from the “hometown” team that gave us Something Rotten, the endearing paean to musical theater – of the classic film comedy that, truth be told, McClure’s bravura performance will be the icing on the cake (or, more probably, the buttercream sandwiched between two layers of luscious Victoria sponge) of this delightfully theatrical confection.

Carmichael Cruz, Click On Detroit: Rob McClure, who originated the role of Daniel Hilliard/Mrs. Doubtfire in its pre-Broadway run in Seattle, at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York, and now across the country on the show’s first national tour, is a bonafide tour de force. From the countless impersonations (no, really, I lost count), to the never-ending costume changes both on-stage and off, McClure is the show.

The Cosmic Circus, The Cosmic Circus: So it was almost a complete shock how blown away I was when saw Mrs. Doubtfire the Musical. I was completely blown away. The show captures the essence of the original and improves upon it. Some of the scenes feel like exact replicas of their movie counterparts, with those scenes being some of the best parts of the film. However, there’s a ton added to the story, which led to a greater stage adaptation. One such storyline was the change of Miranda’s career from interior designer to fashion designer, which added some new gags with Mrs. Doubtfire. It also helped to add some drama, with more situations in which Daniel might get caught.

Ronelle Grier, The Detroit Jewish News: Like the movie, the show depends on a strong and special actor in the title role, and McClure, who earned a Tony nomination for his performance in the Broadway production, exceeds expectations. Rather than attempting to mimic Williams’ iconic performance, McClure makes the role his own. With his impressive talent for vocal impressions, physical comedy and serious acting, he elicits laughter as the madcap Mrs. Doubtfire and empathy as a father suffering through a nasty divorce.

Elijah, PghLesbian: In this review, E explores the relationship of Daniel to his children and his brother, who happens to be a married gay man. E was also careful to note how this show addressed the clearly transphobic elements from the movie. Not only does it reflect the values of E’s generation, it shines a light for how we bring these amazing stories forward minus the trauma and harm.

Taylor Clemons, BroadwayWorld: When thinking of 'Mrs. Doubtfire', it’s hard to imagine anyone coming close to Robin Williams' iconic performance, but I’m happy to report that Rob McClure is the perfect man for the job. McClure received the show’s sole Tony nomination for his work, and it’s easy to see why: his performance is what makes the show work. McClure is funny, heartbreaking, and so lovable as a father desperately trying to regain control of his life and trying to maintain a connection with his children, who he loves more than anything in the world. McClure’s performance is an absolute marathon, and he pulls off every comedic beat expertly. It’s very apparent that he’s having the time of his life continuing to play this role.

Jared Fessler, BroadwayWorld: Staying true to the film while incorporating subtle changes, the script offered a refreshing take on the beloved story. The incorporation of memorable lines from the movie elicited laughter from the audience. The stage version's humorous, energetic ensemble numbers, paired with heartfelt songs, captivated the audience. The vibrant costumes, dazzling sets, and seamless production, including impressive quick changes, added a visual feast to the experience.

Ross Raihala, TwinCities.com: That said, “Mrs. Doubtfire” radiates with the look and feel of a proper Broadway blockbuster, with a huge cast and eye-popping number of costumes. But, oof, the choices the production made for the Mrs. Doubtfire character are questionable, starting with the mask that’s supposed to look like Williams (not McClure) in drag but instead feels almost inhuman.

Rob Levy, BroadwayWorld: The musical's opening show featured Alex Branton as Daniel, with McClure taking a night off. He didn't skip a beat. His excellent performance with co-star (and McClure's real-life partner) Maggie Lakis is the perfect accomplice as Miranda. Playing off Branton's wisecracking jokes, physical comedy and hokey impressions, her serious demeanor was the perfect counterbalance.

Mark Meszoros, The News Herald: That said, McClure — who inhabited the dual role in the show’s ill-fated, COVID-19-hampered Broadway production — is likewise skilled at physical comedy and is easily the biggest reason this “Mrs. Doubtfire” is a crowd-pleaser from beginning to end.

Christine Howey, Scene: If it seems cruel to compare anyone to Robin Williams, note that this production invites it by mimicking the movie throughout. Right from the start, McClure as Daniel Hilliard tries to show off his talent as a voiceover actor by doing a series of rapid-fire impressions of well-known characters, the kind of thing that Williams did with devastating accuracy. But McClure's impressions are a bit like your uncle Jerry's imitation of Ed Sullivan, not really close and a bit cringey.

Lynne Menefee, MD Theatre Guide: The musical is expertly directed by four-time Tony Award®-winner Jerry Zaks, with music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick and book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell. There have a few been updates for a 21st century audience, particularly with references to technology, and some different settings from the film version, but it all blends well.

Jamie Flowers, West End Best Friend: Mrs Doubtfire has a sensational, diverse cast, led by Rob McClure as Daniel Hillard - who was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical in the role on Broadway - and his real life wife (Maggie Lakis) as Miranda Hillard, with the characters singing and dancing in amazing numbers.

Colin Fleming-Stumpf, BroadwayWorld: “Mrs. Doubtfire” is truly one of cinema’s most emotional roller coasters, overflowing with comedy but also a lot of intensity and familial strife (for my money, it’s the best film about divorce that’s ever been made). The stage adaptation captures all of these dynamics, delivered with even more poignancy when seen live and not on a TV screen.

Dennis Polkow, New City Stage: But the best thing about “Mrs. Doubtfire: A New Musical Comedy” is that it restores the heartfelt message of the book—that divorce doesn’t have to be an end for a family, but can simply be a new chapter. Rather than the ambiguous ending of the film where Daniel returns with the implication that there could well be a marital reconciliation, the musical makes it quite clear that will not happen, yet remains upbeat. It was a particularly moving decision for McClure’s curtain call to be as Daniel, not Mrs. Doubtfire.

Steven Oxman, Chicago Sun-Times: The good news is that the Robin Williams character — in one of the actor's classic film performances, improvising with that on-the-edge-of-sanity zaniness that made him so compelling — is played by Rob McClure in a rare case of the Broadway lead going on tour.

AniKatrina Fageol, BroadwayWorld: McClure truly deserves a Tony Award for this role. His voices and impersonations take us back to our beloved Robin Williams, honoring him in a perfect way while making the role his very own. It was incredible to see Daniel becoming Mrs. Doubtfire right in front of our eyes, accomplished by amazing hair and make up and an outstanding ensemble who kept singing throughout the whole transformation number. The transformation scene was iconic in the film but let's be honest- it was film. There were multiple takes. To see McClure, Aaron Kaburick (Frank) and Nik Alexander (Andre Mayem) who portray Daniel's gay brother and brother-in-law, turning a man into a woman during the number 'Make Me A Woman' was sheer theatrical magic.

Jeffrey Kare, BroadwayWorld: Stepping into the shoes of the legendary Robin Williams sounds like no easy task at all. Yet Rob McClure, reprising a role that earned him a Tony nomination on Broadway, is more than up to it. As Daniel Hillard and his alter ego, Mrs. Doubtfire, he manages to be both hilariously memorable and sincere.

Jeffrey Kare, BroadwayWorld: Stepping into the shoes of the legendary Robin Williams sounds like no easy task at all. Yet Rob McClure, reprising a role that earned him a Tony nomination on Broadway, is more than up to it. As Daniel Hillard and his alter ego, Mrs. Doubtfire, he manages to be both hilariously memorable and sincere.

Jeffrey Kare, BroadwayWorld: Stepping into the shoes of the legendary Robin Williams sounds like no easy task at all. Yet Rob McClure, reprising a role that earned him a Tony nomination on Broadway, is more than up to it. As Daniel Hillard and his alter ego, Mrs. Doubtfire, he manages to be both hilariously memorable and sincere.

Dave Elias, NBC 2: Actor Rob McClure is beyond phenomenal as the loveable dancing nanny Mrs. Doubtfire. McClure plays the role of Daniel Hillard, an out-of-work voice actor whose carefree attitude costs him his marriage and children until he gets a hair-brained idea to become a Scottish nanny to get closer to his kids.

Drew Eberhard, BroadwayWorld: Featuring 23 musical numbers, Mrs. Doubtfire will have you laughing and rocking in your seats. The fast paced, up-tempo nature of the musical will grab you and pull you in from the very start. Despite the fun up-tempo nature of the show, and the blistering speed at which the events unfold, deep rooted in its plot are life lessons, and an otherwise retrospective lens that many in the audience will find the ability to relate to. The musical is a depiction of the Modern American family at who’s centralized storyline centers around parental divorce, and the effects it takes on the family as a whole. Mrs. Doubtfire is hailed as being the new musical that centers around this idea of “...the things we do to stay together...”

Michael Solomon, Sun Sentinel: [Rob McClure] is a quadruple threat. He is a man of a thousand voices (wait until you get a load of his Donald Trump impersonation; oh, and Gollum, E.T., Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog). He’s a comic and, when necessary, a serious actor — a great singer and dancer, too. Plus, he knows this character inside and out, having originated the role on Broadway when the musical opened in 2021 and been nominated for a Tony Award for his star turn.

Aaron Wallace, BroadwayWorld: Defying everything I know to be true about musical comedy, this show made me laugh embarrassingly loud and consistently across both acts. Even with a very broad running joke about a character who shouts whenever he lies. (It shouldn’t work, but with Aaron Kaburick in the role, it’s undeniable.) Even with a plot that relies on an impossibly farcical series of misunderstandings. And even without Robin Williams playing the title character, whose entire persona should depend upon Robin Williams playing her.

Andy Haynes, Attractions Magazine: Indeed, without watching Robin Williams perform the part, it’s much easier to recognize the constant impressions and wild energy of the character as coping mechanisms that wear thin on the other adults around him. McClure’s Daniel can’t avoid making the joke in every situation presented to him, often to his own detriment. McClure manages to both honor the original performance of Williams while still grounding the character and finding a way to make it his own.

Perry Tannenbaum, BroadwayWorld: McClure does his best work during this hectic denouement, and against all odds, we don’t absolutely despise Maggie Lakis as Miranda, though we’re rooting against her all evening. Starting her own company and casting Mrs. D in the video promo certainly help, so Lakis and Benjamin eventually melt appealingly. Aided by Daniel’s conspicuous indifference toward his ex, despite Doubtfire’s meddlesome jealousy, Leo Roberts gradually gains our favor as Stuart, even if he is pumped-up and comparatively normal.

Tara Bennett, BroadwayWorld: Tony-nominated Rob McClure dons the curly wig once again as Daniel/Mrs.Doubtfire in this national tour after debuting the role originally on Broadway. A strong talent of the stage, McClure has his fair share of comedic work with shows such as CHAPLIN, HONEYMOON IN VEGAS and most recently BEETLEJUICE under his belt. People who love the original film will be glad to know that McClure skillfully embodies the heart and humor of Robin Williams’ iconic role, delivering a performance that honors the original while making the role his own. His comedic timing and vocal talents anchor the production. At the same time, his seamless transitions between the bumbling Daniel to the charming, quick-witted Doubtfire are downright impressive. Truly, it takes a talent like McClure to elicit laughter and empathy throughout the show’s runtime.

ErinMarie Reiter, BroadwayWorld: The music by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick is big, bright, and bouncy and makes for many fun dance numbers. “Make Me A Woman” is a fun makeover song featuring Daniel’s brother Frank (Aaron Kaburick) and his brother-in-law Andre (Nik Alexander). “Easy Peasy” is when an overly confident Daniel attempts to cook using YouTube cooking videos and still has to order takeout because it’s harder than it looks. Major props to whoever green-lit a tap number about spatchcocking a chicken, and even more than the show describes it and does it correctly.

Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune: During the 2-1/2 hour show, McClure plays two distinct characters; does dozens of spot-on celebrity impressions; performs tap, swing, jazz and athletic breakdance numbers; live-creates a song via audio loop, while performing with hand puppets and accents; does dozens of dizzyingly fast costume changes; and performs tireless physical comedy. (San Diegans may remember McClure’s facility for movement and humor when he originated another Tony-nominated role as Charlie Chaplin in La Jolla Playhouse’s pre-Broadway tryout of “Chaplin” in 2010.)

Harker Jones, BroadwayWorld: t’s a great musical-comedy setup, but it never fulfills that potential. Daniel is such a man-child it borders on annoying. You can see why Miranda wants a divorce. McClure, who has enormous shoes to fill following Robin Williams’ indelible performance, is frenetic, playing his character not as over the top but as Beetlejuice posing as an older white woman.

John Nguyen, Nerd Reactor: Like the film, the musical follows Daniel as a recently divorced actor who becomes Mrs. Doubtfire to spend more time with his children. And just like the film, Daniel references pop culture and makes many impressions with a more modern take. So instead of impressions of Jack Nicholson and Sean Connery’s James Bond in the film, the musical would reference social media, memes, The Lord of the Rings, and many more. If you have ever watched the Aladdin musical at Disney’s California Adventure or even the Broadway version, it’s like seeing Genie poking fun at pop culture.

Steve Murray, BroadwayWorld: Rob McClure is a joy as Daniel, the child-like father who can’t seem to hold a job or satisfy his wife’s demands regarding their children’s care. He’s crushed by their divorce and loss of custody. To stay is their lives, he creates Mrs. Doubtfire and is hired as the kid’s nanny. McClure is joined by renowned actress and real-life wife, Maggie Lakis as Miranda Hillard. Aaron Kaburick and Nik Alexander are hilarious as Daniel’s over-the-top brother Frank and his lover Andre, the makeup artists who create the illusion.

Lily Janiak, Datebook: John O’Farrell and Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick’s musical, which opened Wednesday, July 3, at BroadwaySF’s Orpheum Theatre, seems like it wishes it could use other source material. Directed by Jerry Zaks, it shadowboxes its way through key plot points and memorable shots from the film as if it has to so it can stage the new scenes it’s actually excited about. That opening sequence where Robin Williams’ Daniel Hillard is voicing a cartoon? Now Rob McClure halfheartedly impersonates a few celebrities. A few scenes later, when Miranda finally declares she wants a divorce? Actor Maggie Lakis is such a nonentity, and the production around her is so noncommittal, that it’s as if she doesn’t really mean it.

Tyler Hinton, BroadwayWorld: Rob McClure as Daniel is just the right mix of confident and insecure. He radiates love for his children and passion for comedy, and his remarkable performance is relentlessly laugh out loud funny. The remainder of the cast is consistently high quality with Broadway-level experience and chops. Catherine Brunell as Miranda, Giselle Gutierrez as Lydia, and Leo Roberts as Stuart are especially worthy of praise for their vocals and characterizations.

Nancy Van Valkenburg, Gephardt Daily: People who have seen the film will have an advantage in following the action, and accepting that an ex-wife can’t recognize her highly costumed ex. And neither can Daniel’s three kids, at least at first. And there are plenty of sight gags and scenes that hail back to the film, including Mrs. Doubtfire setting her fake, padded bosom on fire in a cooking accident, and hiding her maskless face by diving into a meringue dessert. There are also a few inside jokes for anyone who has seen the film, and I won’t ruin those.

Michael Quinots, BroadwayWorld: An entertaining crowd-pleaser heavily reliant on broad, sight-gag-heavy humor, this musical theater conversion of the box office blockbuster elicits lots of genuine laughs simply by making sure to recreate many of the source material's memorable moments that made it a comedy favorite in the first place.

Courtney Symes, BroadwayWorld: The energetic overture sets the tone for the rest of the show. There is truly not a dull moment. In the first act alone we get the glitzy fun of “Make Me a Woman,” the hilariously relatable kitchen disaster “Easy Peasy,” and the catchy rap “It’s About Time.” The second act gives us screamingly funny numbers like “Big Fat No” and “He Lied to Me.” While the lyrics are easy to follow and the music is catchy, the performers bring the show to life with verve, zest, and inarguable talent.

Hap Erstein, Palm Beach Arts Paper: At the matinee I attended, Jonathan Hoover took on the heavy lifting of Daniel. He possessed the requisite high energy for the role, though he often substituted volume for nuance. Also a standout was Giselle Gutierrez as his elder daughter Lydia, dueting nicely with Hoover on the 11 o’clock number, “Just Pretend.”

Mary Damiano, Palm Beach Daily News: “Mrs. Doubtfire” can work only if the leading man is up to the challenge of the quick, on-stage character and costume changes, the physical comedy, and the many voices and impressions required. Jonathan Hoover alternates the role with Alex Branton, and Hoover’s opening night performance was brilliant, bouncing between Daniel’s manic, harried nature and Mrs. Doubtfire’s relative calm, although some of the best moments are when Daniel shows through Mrs. Doubtfire’s veneer.

Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star Telgram: The show also brings the story into the 21st century, with technological updates that did not exist in the original version, such as cell phones, for example. Also, more recent pop culture references include Daniel responding sarcastically to Miranda about the party, “I’ll cancel Taylor Swift.” And Mrs. Doubtfire also asks Siri how to make a meal.

Average Rating: 75.5%