MRS. DOUBTFIRE Previews — Page 5

suzycat said: "I was also there last night- it’s in really good shape! I didn’t see it back in 2020 but I think this will have a longer life than Groundhog Day & Tootsie. More family-friendly than both and less offensive to modern audiences than the latter. Rob McClure is working his tail off - I’ll be impressed if he can sustain this role without an alternate.

Any idea why the playbills featured September content instead of October? Are they not printing October playbills?

This is also the first time I’ve noticed a land acknowledgment in a Broadway playbill. Great to see that."

I'm really surprised that Daniel only has one understudy listed - I can only assume it's because of the heavy prosthetic requirements? Most of the other principals have two or three ensemble members that understudy them. The understudies for the kids also appear a few times throughout the show (as Christopher's friends at his birthday party and then in the finale), so I assume those tracks are just cut if they're on.

I also noticed that about September playbills - it happened when I saw SIX a few weeks ago but I assumed it was because it was so early in the month they were still getting rid of the September ones. Seems like that's not the case though.

Regarding the Playbill - I assume it was an individual choice but Rob and a few other principals had their pronouns listed in their bios as well.

bwayphreak234 said: "ArtMan said: "Anybody know what the view is like from the cheap seats in the back mezz? Just curious. Not planning on upgrading. Thanks."

I sat back there for Beautiful, and the view was great. The Sondheim was one of the best mezzanines on Broadway."

Thanks for the info. I sat there for Beautiful also. But this time it is the last row. Not sure where in the back I sat before.

Could be that Rob McClure has a standby who opted not to be billed (i.e. Elena Shaddow in Bridges)? Or they're hiring a standby after the show is frozen?

Thank you, Kathy.

I heard pre-Covid, they were looking for a Daniel standby, but I haven't heard any mention of it since reopening was announced/rehearsals began/etc.

I saw the first preview back and was very underwhelmed. There's no doubt that Rob McClure is a major talent and he is carrying the entire show on his shoulders. Peter Bartlett also stole every second he was on stage. But unfortunately the show is undermined by a forgettable score and a book that just isn't very funny IMHO.

Updated On: 10/23/21 at 09:28 AM

wish i were here2 said: "This probably is off topic so I apologize, but are there any benefits for opting not to be billed? I sorta wondered why some actors/actresses opt out."

There can be a stigma surrounding it. But as someone else said, this is more likely just that they haven't hired the standby yet.

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Could be that Rob McClure has a standby who opted not to be billed (i.e. Elena Shaddow in Bridges)? Or they're hiring a standby after the show is frozen?"



This is more common than you might believe. In the most recent revival of NOISES OFF, there was no understudy listed for David Furr. You may recall that he had that complicated (but hilarious) fall down a flight of stairs in the show. His understudy was the man who choreographed that fall. He chose not to be listed as that in the Playbill.

He was never called to go on.

Updated On: 10/24/21 at 10:27 PM

gibsons2 said: "Did anyone get their tickets through mobile rush? If yes, where were your tickets?

Thank you."

I did before the pandemic - Orchestra Row B, far right side of the theater. Not a terrible seat but you do lose some of what's happening in the kitchen set. There was also a moment where I could tell that there was a double onstage for Daniel for a quick change (from a more central seat or further back, only the back of his head is visible but from where I was I could tell it wasn't Rob). Considering the price though, not a bad seat at all.

I rushed and got row C far left, great view of the stage apart from the staircase (I could pretty much see everything). My friend was a few row backs in F and she had a great view and legroom. We purchased our tickets separately.

Really enjoyed the show, was surprised it was running at 2h45m.

kade.ivy said: "I thought it was in great shape for a fifth preview. Some of the choreography needs tightening up, especially in the multi-Doubtfire number, which comes about 1/3 of the way through Act 2. Was it at one point the Act 2 opener? I’m sure a lot of the choreo is in flux."

"The Shape of Things to Come" has always been the Act 2 opener but the "You've Been Playing With Fire" number was totally rewritten and re-choreographed during the pandemic. It used to be called "You've Created a Monster," which had pretty different lyrics and was more about Mrs. Doubtfire becoming her own entity and it getting out of control rather than Doubtfire preventing him from really being with his kids.

It was also also staged completely differently; the kids were dressed as Doubtfires too rather than being themselves and not being able to get to Daniel. It used to be more explicit that it was Daniel's nightmare - someone in either this thread or the Seattle tryout thread called it "Spooky Doubtfire Hell Dream". The scene with Wanda Sellner leading into the song is also completely new, as is her tearaway costume. I wouldn't be surprised if they're still getting comfortable with the new staging. For what it's worth, I saw the show right before the shutdown and again last week and I think the new song and choreography is much better and doesn't feel as jarring/out-of-place as it used to.

Updated On: 10/27/21 at 11:37 PM

Going to attempt the rush this AM. Will update

Update: don't know if this affects tickets, but I had my app open from 5 minutes to when the on screen countdown ended and very easily got a ticket. Hoping the show is good!

Updated On: 10/28/21 at 08:02 AM