Doubtfire – the character – is no “she.” He’s a he, playing dress up and mansplaining life lessons that feel tacked-on to an enterprise that depends entirely on the supposed comic value of a man in women’s clothing. See the problem yet? In an age when hard-fought battles for trans rights and identities are being waged, Mrs. Doubtfire spreads love, warmth and wisdom wherever she goes.
After a rocky start, the kids and the ex grow to love the indispensable newcomer, Daniel learns some Tootsie-like lessons about manhood and adulthood, and Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire so as to trick his way into the Hillard homestead on a daily basis. So Daniel does the logical thing: He disguises himself as an elderly Scottish nanny named Mrs.
Pretty harsh for a guy whose crimes amount to no more than stale Dad Jokes, non-stop showboating, and a penchant for before-the-flood references (“Video Killed The Radio Star,” seriously?) that any good custody lawyer would place squarely at the blame of lazy book writers. Doubtfire tells the story of out-of-work voice actor Daniel Hillard (McClure, in the Williams role) whose childlike irresponsibility – he just wants to have fun – so angers his stick-in-the-mud corporate-wannabe wife Miranda (Jenn Gambatese) that she files for divorce and convinces a judge to restrict Daniel’s access to their three kids to weekly visits. With a book by Karey Kirkpatrick & John O’Farrell, music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick & Karey Kirkpatrick and based, of course, on the movie that gave Williams his not-Mork signature role, Mrs. Doubtfire has a little something to offend everyone willing to peek behind the surface cheer and stapled-on platitudes.
Stuffed with one-dimensional cultural stereotypes – a gay couple as Paul Lynde-loud in volume as they are in flamboyant affectation, a Flamenco dancer of the Charo school, a Black hip-hop DJ whose only contribution to the plot is leaving behind his musical equipment so the white hero can rap and moonwalk – Mrs. 'Clyde's' Broadway Review: Uzo Aduba Brings The Heat To Lynn Nottage's Devilish Diner Dramedy
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