(MRS.) DOUBTFIRE Reviews- Page 3

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 12/6/21 at 1:54pm

Sad and surprising that while audiences seem to be enjoying McClure in the role, it's the critics that are making the unfavorable comparison to Williams. Like, we know he's not Williams, so how about the theatre critics judging him on his theatrical merits?

[Dolly80]

Posted: 12/6/21 at 2:09pm

Everything about this looks and sounds ho

[Dolly80]

Posted: 12/6/21 at 2:12pm

Everything about this looks and sounds horrible

[ArtMan]

Posted: 12/6/21 at 3:07pm

Dolly80 said: "Everything about this looks and sounds horrible"

It really isn't.  It just needs trimming.  I saw it early in previews so can't speak for now.  I laughed quite alot.  That says something in itself.

[Synecdoche2]

Posted: 12/6/21 at 3:42pm

I'm slightly surprised by the intensely negative reviews. For what it's worth, this show is ten times more watchable and funny than Tootsie, which got positive critical reviews before audience word of mouth quickly turned sour. At least this show is actually directed, has a few funny punchlines, and isn't ugly as sin.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 12/6/21 at 3:47pm

Synecdoche2 said: "I'm slightly surprised by the intensely negative reviews. For what it's worth, this show is ten times more watchable and funny than Tootsie, which got positive critical reviews before audience word of mouth quickly turned sour. At least this show is actually directed, has a few funny punchlines, and isn't ugly as sin."

Completely agree with you.  The reviews are really harsh.  I saw the tour of Tootsie last month and it was awful.  I much preferred Mrs. Doubtfire.

[MattieIce2018]

Posted: 12/6/21 at 4:22pm

Have to agree - I wasn't expecting it to be a smash hit with critics or anything but I also didn't expect the response to be as negative. I will note that one of the more negative reviews (I think TheaterMania) spent a good chunk of the review criticizing Roundabout's food and drink policy rather than the show itself, which seemed unnecessary.

Updated On: 12/6/21 at 04:22 PM

[HogansHero]

Posted: 12/6/21 at 5:14pm

leefowler said: "Could someone explain theSVOG grant to me? Are shows running simply to receive the grant money? That would explain a lot."

Some shows are only running because of the grant money. The money has to be spent for expenses within the parameters of the grant. I think what would surprise a lot of people is how much of this money has already been expensed. So the motivation to stay open will dissipate sooner than some are anticipating.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 12/6/21 at 5:14pm

It would be interesting to see the critical response if DOUBTFIRE had opened before TOOTSIE...they might have had different reviews.

TOOTSIE, however, really deviated from its source material, which might have given critics more to applaud. It was overall a funnier show. DOUBTFIRE has always been a story with more heart and TOOTSIE has been the biting satire. The angry social media reaction to TOOTSIE did not have a major impact to the normal ticketbuyers. That "discourse" occurred within a tiny bubble. DOUBTFIRE has spent a lot of time trying to counteract that, and evidently it didn't pay off.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 12/6/21 at 5:31pm

MattieIce2018 said: "Have to agree - I wasn't expecting it to be a smash hit with critics or anything but I also didn't expect the response to be as negative. I will note that one of the more negative reviews (I think TheaterMania) spent a good chunk of the review criticizing Roundabout's food and drink policy rather than the show itself, which seemed unnecessary."

A "good chunk of the review"?  Try maybe half of a single sentence:

"All the joy, frivolity, and heart of the story can be easily accessed by watching the movie in the comfort of your own home — where you can eat and drink to your heart's content, maskless, without anyone treating you like a criminal."

Granted it's not a well written review -- but let's not exaggerate, shall we??

 

Updated On: 12/6/21 at 05:31 PM

[ArtMan]

Posted: 12/6/21 at 5:49pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "It would be interesting to see the critical response if DOUBTFIRE had opened before TOOTSIE...they might have had different reviews.

TOOTSIE, however, really deviated from its source material, which might have given critics more to applaud. It was overall a funnier show. DOUBTFIRE has always been a story with more heart and TOOTSIE has been the biting satire.The angry social media reaction to TOOTSIE did not have a major impact to the normal ticketbuyers. That "discourse" occurred within a tiny bubble. DOUBTFIRE has spent a lot of time trying to counteract that, and evidently it didn't pay off."

Interesting.  I didn't laugh once during Tootsie.  Mrs.  Doubtfire, on the otherhand, was quite funny.  When I saw Tootsie, it was in a new theater, with no one sitting next to me on either side and plenty of leg room.  When I saw Doubtfire my 6'3 frame was squashed between two oversize folks and no legroom.  Just by physical discomfort, affecting my attitude towards the show, I should have disliked Doubtfire. I didn't.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 12/6/21 at 5:55pm

ArtMan said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "It would be interesting to see the critical response if DOUBTFIRE had opened before TOOTSIE...they might have had different reviews.

TOOTSIE, however, really deviated from its source material, which might have given critics more to applaud. It was overall a funnier show. DOUBTFIRE has always been a story with more heart and TOOTSIE has been the biting satire.The angry social media reaction to TOOTSIE did not have a major impact to the normal ticketbuyers. That "discourse" occurred within a tiny bubble. DOUBTFIRE has spent a lot of time trying to counteract that, and evidently it didn't pay off."

Interesting. I didn't laugh once during Tootsie. Mrs. Doubtfire, on the otherhand, was quite funny. When I saw Tootsie, it was in a new theater, with no one sitting next to me on either side and plenty of leg room. When I saw Doubtfire my 6'3 frame was squashed between two oversize folks and no legroom. Just by physical discomfort, affecting my attitude towards the show, I should have disliked Doubtfire. I didn't."

 

this specific call out makes no sense, considering the Stephen Sondheim Theatre is even younger than The Marquis Theatre

 

[ArtMan]

Posted: 12/6/21 at 6:23pm

Call_me_jorge said: "ArtMan said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "It would be interesting to see the critical response if DOUBTFIRE had opened before TOOTSIE...they might have had different reviews.

TOOTSIE, however, really deviated from its source material, which might have given critics more to applaud. It was overall a funnier show. DOUBTFIRE has always been a story with more heart and TOOTSIE has been the biting satire.The angry social media reaction to TOOTSIE did not have a major impact to the normal ticketbuyers. That "discourse" occurred within a tiny bubble. DOUBTFIRE has spent a lot of time trying to counteract that, and evidently it didn't pay off."

Interesting. I didn't laugh once during Tootsie. Mrs. Doubtfire, on the otherhand, was quite funny. When I saw Tootsie, it was in a new theater, with no one sitting next to me on either side and plenty of leg room. When I saw Doubtfire my 6'3 frame was squashed between two oversize folks and no legroom. Just by physical discomfort, affecting my attitude towards the show, I should have disliked Doubtfire. I didn't."



this specific call out makes no sense, considering the Stephen Sondheim Theatre is even younger than The Marquis Theatre

"

What you wrote doesn't make sense.  I saw Tootsie on TOUR, which I stated in my post, timeline at 3:47 pm.  It was in a NEW theatre which was built with wide, extra, LEGROOM.  I never stated I saw Tootsie at the Marquis.

[unclevictor]

Posted: 12/6/21 at 10:29pm

ArtMan said: "Call_me_jorge said: "ArtMan said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "It would be interesting to see the critical response if DOUBTFIRE had opened before TOOTSIE...they might have had different reviews.

TOOTSIE, however, really deviated from its source material, which might have given critics more to applaud. It was overall a funnier show. DOUBTFIRE has always been a story with more heart and TOOTSIE has been the biting satire.The angry social media reaction to TOOTSIE did not have a major impact to the normal ticketbuyers. That "discourse" occurred within a tiny bubble. DOUBTFIRE has spent a lot of time trying to counteract that, and evidently it didn't pay off."

Interesting. I didn't laugh once during Tootsie. Mrs. Doubtfire, on the otherhand, was quite funny. When I saw Tootsie, it was in a new theater, with no one sitting next to me on either side and plenty of leg room. When I saw Doubtfire my 6'3 frame was squashed between two oversize folks and no legroom. Just by physical discomfort, affecting my attitude towards the show, I should have disliked Doubtfire. I didn't."



this specific call out makes no sense, considering the Stephen Sondheim Theatre is even younger than The Marquis Theatre

"

What you wrote doesn't make sense. I saw Tootsie on TOUR, which I stated in my post, timeline at 3:47 pm. It was in a NEW theatre which was built with wide, extra, LEGROOM. I never stated I saw Tootsie at the Marquis."

Girls! Girls! Play nice!

doubtfire is getting slaughtered by the reviewers.  Could it close before Diana??

[ArtMan]

Posted: 12/6/21 at 11:03pm

Unclevictor, That's funny.  In reality though, read, before you read!

[ArtMan]

Posted: 12/6/21 at 11:09pm

doubtfire is getting slaughtered by the reviewers. Could it close before Diana??"

I hope not.   Whatever your opinion about the show, good or bad, Rob McClure IS giving a Tony winning performance.  If it closes early, that could greatly ruin his chances.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/6/21 at 11:14pm

ArtMan said: "

doubtfire is getting slaughtered by the reviewers. Could it close before Diana??"

I hope not. Whatever your opinion about the show, good or bad, Rob McClure IS giving a Tony winning performance. If it closes early, that could greatly ruin his chances."

At the very least, worthy of a Tony nomination. It’ll be tough for him to win against Billy Crystal and Hugh Jackman, though, especially given his show’s reviews. 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 12/7/21 at 12:08am

MattieIce2018 said: "Have to agree - I wasn't expecting it to be a smash hit with critics or anything but I also didn't expect the response to be as negative. I will note that one of the more negative reviews (I think TheaterMania) spent a good chunk of the review criticizing Roundabout's food and drink policy rather than the show itself, which seemed unnecessary."

Havent seen the show and given how rarely i enjoy new musical efforts, I'm not optimistic. But reading the reviews is struck me that while they were lukewarm towards the music/book, they were downright hostile based on the political implications of the plot. Meaning, if you strip away the criticism of the actual storyline, or the criticism of the original film (which is a classic, beloved for a reason), the reviews are mixed, not bad. Im not necessarily disagreeing with the critics as to what makes them uncomfortable re the gay characters or the apparent absence of any depth for the female lead- but those are a different kind of criticism, it would seem to me., then whether they enjoyed the show or not.

And wouldn't most of these criticisms have been just as apt re Tootsie? That Tootsie was able to be reviewed without that political bent shows how much the world has changed since Spring 2019, in a way that is not kind to this show. 

[Synecdoche2]

Posted: 12/7/21 at 7:09pm

JDonaghy4 said: "And wouldn't most of these criticisms have been just as apt re Tootsie? That Tootsie was able to be reviewed without that political bent shows how much the world has changed since Spring 2019, in a way that is not kind to this show."

You're absolutely right. In fact, Tootsie was far more "problematic" and had considerably more transphobic implications. But the critics failed to pick up on that at the time. In many ways, I think the hostility toward the political implications here are the critics trying to make up for the glaring issues they missed the last time around. A shame because Doubtfire is degrees more sensitive to the topic.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 12/7/21 at 8:40pm

to be clear, i didnt think Tootsie was at all problematic from a trans perspective, but at least there the guy is a jackass who fools/tricks/hurts everyone around him for the purpose of... helping his own career. which is fine, protagonists can be faulty/unlikeable etc. but to transfer THAT onto the Mrs Doubtfire role (a desperate, immature man who doesnt trick anyone into a romance, and does it all to see his kids!) is just so pathetic. We get it, you're woke critics, but was the book, music, production fun/interesting? It feels like these reviews glossed over that entirely. 

but i DO think Doubtfire has a more age-appropriate fan base that could compel it forward. My mother's office's theater party this year will be at Doubtfire for example. Im seeing it on Sunday and will report back.

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/8/21 at 5:25pm

For the thirsty among us, Casey Garvin just posted he will be on for Stu at 7pm tonight 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/8/21 at 5:29pm

quizking101 said: "For the thirsty among us, Casey Garvin just posted he will be on for Stu at 7pm tonight"

Ah... another pair of thighs that the boards can swoon over!

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 12/8/21 at 5:50pm

I'm rather stunned that the production's entire b-roll is 39 seconds, 15 of which are essentially silent closeups of the costume and makeup. 

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 12/30/21 at 1:55am

It's both surprising and ominous that this musical has not announced a cast album. I'd be shocked if it didn't get one (mainly because it kills licensing down the line), but these deals are often set pre-opening night.

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/30/21 at 7:28am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "It's both surprising and ominous that this musical has not announced a cast album. I'd be shocked if it didn't get one (mainly because it kills licensing down the line), but these deals are often set pre-opening night."

I’m gonna assume the fact they just reopened during the beginning of Omicron - which basically decimated the show for almost two weeks - probably means they hadn’t had much of a chance to focus on that just yet.