{"id":16860,"date":"2024-06-16T13:21:42","date_gmt":"2024-06-16T20:21:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cahighways.org\/wordpress\/?p=16860"},"modified":"2024-06-16T13:21:42","modified_gmt":"2024-06-16T20:21:42","slug":"slapstick-on-stage-mrs-doubtfire-bih-pantages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cahighways.org\/wordpress\/?p=16860","title":{"rendered":"Slapstick on Stage | “Mrs. Doubtfire” @ BIH\/Pantages"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Mrs.\"\"What a contrast. The last show we saw at the Pantages,\u00a0Girl From The North Country<\/em>, was dark and depressing<\/a>. The show we saw last night,\u00a0Mrs. Doubtfire<\/em>, was hilariously funny. This is a show you should see while you can on tour, for a number of reasons: First, this is the rare tour that has the Broadway lead, and it is well well worth it. Second, this is one of those shows you won’t be seeing at the community or regional level, simply because they will not have the resources for the facial prosthetics.<\/p>\n

So let’s start at the beginning.<\/p>\n

Back in 1993, we were members at the newly merged synagogue\u00a0Kol Tikvah<\/em> in Woodland Hills (formed from the merger of our congregation at the time, Temple Emet, and another local congreagtion,\u00a0Shir Chadash<\/em>, helmed by Rabbi Steve Jacobs. One of the fundraising events they did was a “sneak peak” of a new movie, which turned out to be\u2014you probably guessed it\u2014Mrs. Doubtfire<\/em>. Robin Williams, Sally Field, and so many others. It was a hilariously funny film. I haven’t see it all that much since then, but the humor of the film really rested on the singular talent that was Robin Williams.<\/p>\n

A few years ago, amid a rash of Screen-to-Stage productions such as\u00a0Pretty Woman<\/em>, and Tootsie, Mrs. Doubtfire\u00a0<\/i>was musicalized. I listened to the album. Some good music, but nothing long lasting. It was the movie on stage.<\/p>\n

We saw it last night at the Pantages. It was hilarious.<\/p>\n

So what worked and what didn’t.<\/p>\n

The first thing this show has going for it is the writing team: Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick for music and lyrics; Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell for the book. This is the team that was behind\u00a0Something Rotten<\/em>. The show does bring the humor, and it brings the slapstick. There are lots of topical jokes. Where is falls down is the music. The music isn’t bad; it just isn’t memorable.\u00a0Something Rotten\u00a0<\/em>had lots of songs that had legs: you remembered them after the show, and they could easily be staged elsewhere. Here, the songs (while very entertaining) are very tied to context, and only one (“As Long as There is Love”) can really stand on its own.<\/p>\n

The second thing this show has going for it is the husband and wife team of Rob McClure and Maggie Lakis in the lead roles. McClure (Daniel Hillard) is a comic powerhouse, great at voices and physical comedy. He isn’t afraid to ham it up and play it for laughs, and it works in this show. His resume shows his comic chops, for in addition to this there is Beetlejuice, Something Rotten!, Noises Off, Honeymoon in Vegas. He’s a real talent, and must be seen. His real life wife, Maggie Lakis, plays his on-stage ex-wife Miranda, and you can see the chemistry between them. You can believe there is and was love there, and can see the fights. You can see him watching her, and her watching him, and their chemistry amplifies things. Lakis is also a strong singer and dancer; she was also in Something Rotten!, so they’ve done this before.\u00a0 You can also tell that McClure really enjoys this role and the freedom he has to play. It is a comic actors dream, especially when he can play it in Los Angeles, home to casting directors galore.<\/p>\n

Also notable is Giselle Gutierrez (Lydia Hillard). For such a youngling, she has a remarkable singing voice and a great stage presence.<\/p>\n

Also to be commended is the special effects team: Catherine Zuber on Costumes, David Brian Brown on Hair and Wig, and Port City Technical on Technical Supervision.<\/p>\n

One additional comment: Normally, I’m down on men in drag for humor shows. That’s a major problem I had with\u00a0Tootsie<\/em>. This show doesn’t come across this way, because the humor rarely comes from “this is a man in a dress”, but from the humorous character of\u00a0Doubtfire<\/em>. I think that’s a big difference. Still, the man in a dress trope really doesn’t work these days.<\/p>\n

So, what are the problems with this show. The major one is that it doesn’t have legs. This could be a great community or regional theatre show, except there is no way they can do the facial prosthetics required (which have to come on and off in less that one minute). If it makes it to the level of a 5-Star (Regional) or Canyon Theatre Guild (Community), I’ll be very surprised. That’s why you should see this NOW. It likely won’t make it on the non-tour circuit. Alas, there are many shows like that.<\/p>\n

I’ll keep this short, as the Tony Award start in a few. Go see this show; you’ll enjoy it.<\/p>\n

Mrs. Doubtfire continues at Broadway in Hollywood\/Pantages through June 30. Tickets are available through the BIH webiste<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n

Mrs. Doubtfire<\/em>. Music and lyrics by\u00a0Wayne Kirkpatrick & Karey Kirkpatrick<\/strong>. Book by\u00a0Karey Kirkpatrick & John O’Farrell<\/strong>. Based on the Twentieth Century Studios Motion Picture. Direction by\u00a0Jerry Zaks<\/strong>. Choreography by\u00a0Lorin Latarro<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Cast<\/span>; (underline<\/span> indicates performing at our show; strikeout<\/del> was not at our performance): Rob McClure Daniel Hillard<\/em><\/span>; Maggie Lakis\u00a0Miranda Hillard<\/em><\/span>; Giselle Gutierrez\u00a0Lydia Hillard<\/em><\/span>; Nik Alexander<\/del> Marquez Linder<\/span> Andre Mayem<\/em><\/span>; Leo Roberts\u00a0Stuart Dunmire<\/em><\/span>; Romelda Teron Benjamin\u00a0Wanda Sellner<\/em><\/span>; Sam Bird \/ Axel Bernard Rimmele<\/span>\u00a0Christopher Hillard<\/em><\/span>; Emerson Mae Chan \/ Charlotte Sydney Harrington<\/span>\u00a0Natalie Hillard<\/em><\/span>; David Hibbard\u00a0Mr. Jolly \/ Judge \/ Doctor \/ Ensemble<\/em><\/span>; Jodi Kimura\u00a0Janet Lundy \/ Ensemble<\/em><\/span>; Alex Banton\u00a0Ensemble<\/em><\/span>; Jonathan Hoover Ensemble<\/em><\/span>; Sheila Jones\u00a0Ensemble<\/em><\/span>; Julie Kavanagh\u00a0Ensemble<\/span>, Dance Captain<\/em>; Marquez Linder<\/del> Ensemble<\/em><\/span>; Alex Ringler Ensemble<\/em><\/span>; Lannie Rubio Ensemble<\/em><\/span>; Neil Starkenberg Ensemble, Asst. Dance Captain<\/em><\/span>; Joey Stone<\/span> Loopy Lenny, Ensemble<\/span><\/em>; Lauryn Withnell Ensemble<\/em><\/span>; Julia Yameen Ensemble<\/em><\/span>. Swings were: Ian Liberto, Naderah Munajj; JP Qualters; Bianca Rivera-Irions; Joey Stone<\/del>, Gina Ward.<\/p>\n

Music Department:<\/span> (L) indicates local. Mark Binns Conductor \/ Keys 1<\/em><\/span>; Nicholas Johnson\u00a0Asst. Conductor \/ Keys 2<\/em><\/span>; Peter Serravalle\u00a0Guitar 1<\/em><\/span>; Pili Ka’upu-Fronda\u00a0Drums \/ Percussion<\/em><\/span>; Jim Abbott\u00a0Keyboard and Guitar Programming<\/em><\/span>; John Miller\u00a0Music Coordinator<\/em><\/span>; Jeff Driskilll (L)\u00a0Flute \/ Clarinet \/ Soprano Sax \/ Alto Sax<\/em><\/span>; Javier Gonzalez (L)\u00a0Trumpet \/ Flugelhorn<\/em><\/span>; Nick Daley (L)\u00a0Trombone<\/em><\/span>; Ira Glansbeek (L)\u00a0Cello<\/em><\/span>; Brian LaFontaine (L)\u00a0Guitars (Electric \/ Steel String & Nylon String Acoustic)<\/em><\/span>; Kavah Rastegar (L)\u00a0Electric Bass<\/em><\/span>; Benet Braun (L)\u00a0Keyboard Sub<\/em><\/span>; Eric Heinly (L)\u00a0Orchestra Contractor<\/em><\/span>.\u00a0 Ethan Popp\u00a0Music Supervisor, Arranger, Orchestrator<\/em><\/span>. Zane Mark\u00a0Dance Music Arrangements<\/em><\/span>.\u00a0 Matthew Smedal\u00a0Assoc. Music Supervisor<\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Production and Creative<\/span>: David Korins\u00a0Set Designer<\/em><\/span>; Catherine Zuber\u00a0Costume Designer<\/em><\/span>; Philip Rosenberg\u00a0Lighting Designer<\/em><\/span>; Brian Ronan\u00a0Co-Sound Design<\/em><\/span>; Craig Cassidy\u00a0Co-Sound Designer<\/em><\/span>; David Brian Brown\u00a0Hair and Wig Designer<\/em><\/span>; Stephen Edlund\u00a0Assoc. Director<\/em><\/span>; Michaeljon Slinger\u00a0Assoc. Choreographer<\/em><\/span>; Port City Technical\u00a0Technical Supervision<\/em><\/span>; Kelsey Tippins\u00a0Production Stage Manager<\/em><\/span>; Kyle Dannahey\u00a01st Asst. Stage Manager<\/em><\/span>; Madison Tarchala\u00a02nd Asst. Stage Manager<\/em><\/span>; Patrick Wetzel\u00a0Sub Asst. Stage Manager<\/span><\/em>; Stacy Myers\u00a0Company Manager<\/em><\/span>; The Telsey Office\u00a0Casting<\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Notable Other Credits<\/span>: Emily Hermey\u00a0Nanny<\/em><\/span>; RPM\u00a0Social Media<\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\n

\u2666 \u2666 \u2666<\/p>\n

Administrivia: I am not a professional critic. I\u2019m a cybersecurity professional, a roadgeek who does\u00a0a highway site<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0a podcast<\/a>\u00a0about California Highways, and someone who loves live performance. I buy all my own tickets, unless explicitly noted otherwise. I do these writeups to share my thoughts on shows with my friends and the community. I encourage you to go to your local theatres and support them (ideally, by purchasing full price tickets, if you can afford to do so). We currently subscribe or have memberships at:\u00a0Center Theatre Group<\/a>\/Ahmanson Theatre<\/a>;\u00a0Broadway in Hollywood\/Pantages Theatre<\/a>;\u00a0Pasadena Playhouse<\/a>; and\u00a05-Star Theatricals<\/a>. We\u2019re looking for the right intimate theatre to subscribe at \u2014 it hasn\u2019t been the same since\u00a0Rep East died<\/a>\u00a0(it\u2019s now\u00a0The Main<\/a>, and although it does a lot of theatre, it doesn\u2019t have seasons or a resident company), and post-COVID, most 99-seaters aren\u2019t back to doing seasons (or seasons we like). I used to do more detailed writeups;\u00a0here\u2019s my current approach<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Upcoming \u2666 Theatre \/ \u2663 Music \/ \u25ca Other Live Performance \u2013 Next 90ish<\/em>\u00a0Days (\u2295 indicates ticketing is pending):<\/p>\n