Mrs Doubtfire the musical opens on Broadway

Euphegenia Doubtfire aka Mrs Doubtfire has become a Broadway musical and begins previews on March 9 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York. Rob McClure plays the iconic nanny based on the much loved 1993 Robin Williams cult classic film of the same name.

The original movie opened in 1993 and was directed by Chris Columbus. The story follows a recently divorced actor who dresses up as a female housekeeper to be able to interact with his children. The film won the Academy Award for Best Makeup and the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture in a Musical or Comedy. Robin Williams won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture in a Musical or Comedy.

The original movie grossed $441 million on a budget of $25 million becoming the second highest grossing film of 1993 around the world.

The new musical will officially open on April 5 and stars Rob McClure and Jenn Gambatese who will headline the production in the roles originally played by Robin Williams and Sally Field respectively.

“I’ve got an entire Indianapolis 500 pit crew back there. My dressers and make-up team are superheroes. One of the most thrilling differences between the movie and the Broadway show is that we are doing this in real time. When Daniel Hillard runs into the other room and emerges as everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny 18 seconds later, our director can’t yell cut and send me to a trailer for five hours. We’ve got 18 seconds. I can feel the audience sweating with me! ‘IS HE GONNA MAKE IT?!?’ The stakes are so high! It makes for electrifying theatre.” says McClure.

Mrs. Doubtfire features a book by Tony-nominated Something Rotten! creators John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick and an original score by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Four-time Tony winner Jerry Zaks directs and Lorin Latarro choreographs the production, which features music supervision by Ethan Popp.

Rounding out the principal cast are two-time Tony nominee Brad Oscar as Frank Hillard, Analise Scarpaci as Lydia Hillard, Jake Ryan Flynn as Christopher Hillard, J. Harrison Ghee as Andre, Mark Evans as Stuart Dunmeyer, Charity Angél Dawson as Wanda Sellner, Avery Sell as Natalie Hillard and Peter Bartlett as Mr. Jolly.

The ensemble features Cameron Adams, Akilah Ayanna, Calvin L. Cooper, Kaleigh Cronin, Casey Garvin, Maria Dalanno, David Hibbard, KJ Hippensteel, Aaron Kaburick, Erica Mansfield, Brian Martin, Alexandra Matteo, Sam Middleton, Doreen Montalvo, LaQuet Sharnell Pringle, Jaquez André Sims, Lily Tamburo, Travis Waldschmidt and Aléna Watters.

The production features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Catherine Zuber, lighting design by Philip Rosenberg and sound design by Brian Ronan.

Sean McLoughlin