(l tor r) Avery Sell, Jake Ryan Flynn, Rob McClure, Jenn Gambatese, and Analise Scarpaci in ‘Mrs. Doubtfire.’ (Photo: Matthew Murphy)
Doubt is in the air as another Broadway production buckles under the weight of the coronavirus pandemic. Producer Kevin McCollum has announced that Mrs. Doubtfire, the new musical with a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell and music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick, directed by Jerry Zaks, will take a hiatus on Broadway from January 10 to March 14, 2022, at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre (124 W 43rd St, NYC).
“The first few months of a brand new Broadway show are an extraordinarily delicate and important period of time. With the pervasiveness of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, Mrs. Doubtfire would have to close permanently if the production didn’t take drastic, pro-active measures,” said McCollum.
“Out of concern for the potential long-term employment of everyone who works on Mrs. Doubtfire, and the extended run of the show, we have decided that following the January 9 performance, the production will close for nine weeks, returning on March 15,” McCollum continued. “Mrs. Doubtfire has been in development for six years. We are doing everything in our power to keep the virus from prematurely ending our run on Broadway. By taking this break we can afford to launch an extended run starting in March.”
“Finally, I would like to express my profound and unending admiration for our extraordinary cast, crew, orchestra, creative team, and entire company. They have risen to every challenge thrown at them over the last two years with a remarkable amount of resilience, good humor, grit, and love for one another,” McCollum concluded. “They embody the indomitable spirit of Broadway. I cannot wait for audiences to continue to enjoy what they have created in March!”
Rob McClure in ‘Mrs. Doubtfire.’ (Photo: Joan Marcus)
Helmed by four time-Tony Award-winning director Jerry Zaks (Hello, Dolly!), the new musical comedy features a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell and music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick, the Tony Award-nominated team behind Something Rotten! The creative is rounded out by choreographer Lorin Latarro (Waitress); Music Supervisor, Arranger and Orchestrator Ethan Popp (Tina); Scenic Designer David Korins (Hamilton); Costume Designer Catherine Zuber (Moulin Rouge! The Musical); Lighting Designer, Philip S. Rosenberg (Pretty Woman); Sound Designer Brian Ronan (Mean Girls); Hair & Wig Designer David Brian Brown (Moulin Rouge! The Musical); and Make-up Designer Tommy Kurzman (All My Sons).
Mrs. Doubtfire tells the story of Daniel Hillard, a struggling, out-of-work actor, will do anything for his kids. After losing custody in a messy divorce, he creates the kindly alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire in a desperate attempt to stay in their lives. As his new character takes on a life of its own, Mrs. Doubtfire teaches Daniel more than he bargained for about how to be a father.
Tickets for Mrs. Doubtfire on Broadway are now on sale at Telecharge.com and more tickets will go on sale this week for performances through November 20, 2022.
Audience members currently holding tickets March 15 or later will keep their locations. Anyone with tickets during the hiatus can exchange for a later date or get a complete refund from point of purchase.
