MRS. DOUBTFIRE Previews — Page 8

Saw the performance last night. Got a great pair of tix at TKTS (second row Mezz, center aisle...must of just released some premium priced tix last minute:)

I would title this show "the return of Tootsie." For me that's a mixed bag as I enjoyed both despite some obvious flaws in the construction of the musical. The reason so many film to stage projects fail is the incessant need to turn charming stories in the film medium into big splashy stage events. Mediocre scores staged at breakneck speed become a bit of a blur as one waits for things calm down so that the wit and charm of the story can unfold. Both are also anchored with a brilliant central character played to the hilt by a consummate professional. In this case Rob McClure doesn't disappoint as everyone has noted.

The second act works better because we are given time to relate to the drama and actual ballads are introduced to add some character development. I was moved by the ending but even there was a need to overindulge in every happy trope known to musical comedy neatly tied finales.

I think we'll see mixed reviews as was the case with Tootsie but hopefully a longer life due to the fan base of this Robin Williams vehicle. At least I'm hoping for that.

Enjoyed this today much more than I expected to. It’s a solid screen to stage adaptation. The second act isn’t quite as good as the first and the character of Miranda is a blank—the song they’ve given her isn’t good enough to give her any shading—but otherwise a fun show. Rob McClure must burn 15,000 calories per performance. Lots of laughs and I liked it better that Something Rotten! This had the heart and emotional stakes that was missing.


Jake Ryan Flynn looks like he’s pretty much doubled in height since the Sack Lunch Bunch, lol.

I want to love this show. It’s got a lot of elements working for it, but somehow they’re just not clicking together. When the press rehearsal footage was released, I thought that “I want to be there” was supposed to be Daniel’s 11 o’clock number, pleading to the court once the ruse was revealed. Having it be the first song after the opening number is just… odd. The entire bit with Miranda’s fashion show could also be cut without losing anything. Also it’s a tremendous waste to have Brad Oscar, Peter Bartlett, and J. Harrison Ghee playing roles small enough that they could easily be featured ensemble tracks.

quizking101 said: "Show hasn’t started yet but two things:

1) I forgot about how much legroom I have at this theatre! I’m Rear Orchestra on the right aisle (U-2) and I haven’t been this comfortable in a MINUTE!

2) A bunch of cameras are throughout the audience tonight. Maybe they are filming B-Roll footage?"

I think Mark Evans posted a few days ago that they were shooting B-roll this week, so most likely that.

Watched the matinee yesterday as a last minute TKTS decision (literally decided at the window). I have never seen the movie nor did I really have any interest in watching this show, but had an open afternoon and felt more in the mood for a comedy.

I found this show to be a lot of fun and the comedy really landed. I don't think I've laughed this much at a book. However, I almost thought it was unnecessary for this to be a musical. I was starting to get annoyed when I could tell a song was starting because they didn't really add much to me. They were just unmemorable, had no cohesiveness, and felt like they were adding songs just so they could use their stars (like Mark and Charity). I didn't read this thread before and I also got "Spooky Doubtfire Hell Dreams" vibes during Charity's song. The only song I truly enjoyed was "He Lied to Me" and the one about what Mrs. Doubtfire should look like.

I was amazed by the set, the colors and the lighting. It's funny how many Beetlejuice parallels it kind of has with the big house set, Lydia as a character, and Rob McClure.

Speaking of: holy moly Rob McClure. How is this man not exhausted?? I was getting tired for him. He's on-stage pretty much the entire time, and if he's not he's doing a quick change. But not only that, he's 110% the entire time. From all the little impressions, being Doubtfire, and then switching over to the really heavy handed material, he does it with so much sincerity and an unbelievable ease. Any time he has emotional scenes with the kids, it just feels so real.

Analise's voice is so powerful and so crystal clear and her acting is phenomenal. Her and Rob have such great chemistry, I really felt like they were feeding off of each other. For some reason though, I sometimes felt like I was watching Dear Evan Hansen and she was playing Zoe. Gambatese also reminded me of a blander version of Cynthia or even a Jackie Burns in If/Then (but it might just be the wig). I thought Gambatese was good, I think it's her character that is just unlikeable? I just could not find much sympathy for her.

The stand outs were Oscar and Ghee. I remember thinking somewhere in the 2nd act "where did they go? they need a scene in here to mix things up."

So again, super fun show. Beautiful set. A wonderfully hard working cast. Rob McClure just absolutely killing it. And from what I can tell after reading this thread now is that the show has gotten tighter and better, so I'm hoping that by the time they open it'll be solid - which might be a lot of work for about a week.

Final preview is tonight in advance of opening night tomorrow! For anyone who's gone recently, how long is the show running now? Just curious if they've made any more cuts.