Written by orange• September 29, 2024• 2:14 am• Costa Mesa, Musical, Review, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Theater, Uncategorized

Mrs. Doubtfire @ Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Review

photo credit: Joan Marcus

Written by Diana Michelle Robles

Director Jerry Zaks set the Segerstrom Center of the Arts on fire – Doubtfire, that is. Mrs. Doubtfire, of the same name and like as the hit 1993 movie starring Robin Williams, was unsurprisingly silly. It was laced with age old man-in-a-dress irony and an incredible amount of vocal impressions. However, at its core, this show pushes a timeless message about familial diversity that seems increasingly relevant.

Story

Daniel (played by Rob McLure) disguises himself as an old British woman to nanny his own children as a way to be involved in their lives after a grizzly divorce, Mrs. Doubtfire certainly warms hearts and has fun doing it with a wide variety of campy numbers that push the story forward.

Acting:

McLure excelled in both his roles, Daniel and Mrs. Doubtfire. He was unconvincing as a “cool” dad, which ultimately felt like the point for the adult audience to resonate with his soon-to-be ex-wife Miranda, played by Catherine Brunell. As Mrs. Doubtfire, McLure offered impeccable comedic timing and childlike amusement.

Other star performances came from Aaron Kaburick as Frank Hillard, who was screamingly funny, and Marquez Linder as Andre Mayem, who was nothing short of a diva. The young actors that played Daniel’s children also offered delightful performances, most notably from Giselle Gutierrez, whose vocal performances were as strong as her on-stage father, if not stronger.

Costumes:

The Mrs.Doubtfire costume was, of course, Broadway-level excellent. It was so functional and seemingly easy to put on and off, which was essential for this show in particular, as Daniel has to navigate his newfound dual identity. “Make Me A Woman,” served as Daniel’s makeover scene. During the number, we see some familiar faces and looks, all of which were fabulous and perhaps made this scene the most enjoyable of the night.

Set Design:

Segerstrom is equipped with the ability to have quite a few set-ups with very little stagehand work, which is a plus for production but also really cool for the viewer. While most of the scenes were based in a domestic setting, the scenes that utilized the story’s setting, San Francisco, very much had a San Francisco vibe. Yes, we see the Golden Gate Bridge, but it goes beyond that. The streets and even smaller details, like doors on the houses, were just right.

Overall:

Mrs. Doubtfire offers the audience many different things, but nostalgia may be at the top of that list. However, having the same storyline as the 1993 film does not mean every laugh is the same. Playwrights know better than to use 20+ year-old jokes. Instead, the show makes new from the old —just as Daniel learns to give up his old family dynamic in order to create a better relationship with his new, unconventional family.