‘Mrs Doubtfire’ is being turned into a Broadway musical
The 1993 comedy classic starring the late Robin Williams is heading to the stage.
By Will Stroude
It remains one of the most beloved comedy-dramas of all time, and 25 years after the world fell in love with Mrs Doubtfire, a Broadway production is officially in the works.
The musical adaptation of the hit 1993 film, which starred Robin Williams as recently separated man who impersonate an old female housekeeper in order to spend time with his children, will be directed by four-time Tony award-winner Jerry Zaks, producers revealed in a statement on Tuesday (August 28).
The stage version is currently being crafted by the team behind 2015 musical comedy Something Rotten!, with the book written by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick and music and lyrcis from Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick
“Mrs Doubtfire is such a beloved story, both laugh-out-loud hilarious and extremely moving,” reads a statement from Kevin McCollum and Bob Cohen of Fox Stage Productions.
“Getting this team together and crafting Mrs Doubtfire for the stage has been pure joy. We can’t wait to get into production.”
As well as the late Robin Williams, who tragically took his own life in 2014 at the age of 63, Mrs Doubtfire starred a host of big name actors including Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, and Matilda’s Mara Wilson.
The early ’90s family comedy was also notable for its inclusion of a gay couple in the form of Uncle Frank and Aunt Jack (played by gay actors Harvey Fierstein and Scott Capurro respectively), who are responsbile for the transformation of Wlliams’ character Daniel.
The trio’s short but memorable scene featured its own nod to the world of muscials, as the characters sing Fiddler on the Roof’s ‘Matchmaker’, which Fierstein had performed himself on Broadway.
Of course, with the news that Mrs Doubtfire is heading to the stage for a new generation to enjoy, it’s hard not to feel a fresh pang of sadness at the loss of Williams. All we can hope is that the adaptation does justice to a character and story that has lived in the hearts of millions since.