(Cover Photo: The 2026 National Touring CAST of  "MRS. DOUBTFIRE" now playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. until June 28 2026. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus)

By Kevin T. Baldwin

METRMAG Reviewer

# 774-242-6724

"As long as there’s love, those are the ties that bind and you’ll have a family in your heart...forever."

                                        - ("MRS. DOUBTFIRE") / Karey Kirkpatrick, John O’Farrell and Wayne Kirkpatrick

The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts

Presents the New Musical Comedy 

"MRS. DOUBTFIRE"

Limited Engagement!

Book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell

Music and Lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick

Arrangements and Orchestrations by Ethan Popp

Directed by Jerry Zaks

Music Supervisor - Matthew Smedal

Choreographer Lorin Latarro

Cast Includes: Craig Allen Smith as “Daniel Hillard," Melissa Campbell as “Miranda Hillard,” Alanis Sophia as “Lydia Hillard,” Brian Kalinowski as “Frank Hillard,” DeVon Wycovia Buchanan as “Andre Mayem,” Collin Salvatorè as “Stuart Dunmire,” Kennedy V. Jackson as “Wanda Sellner,” Chance Challen as “Christopher Hillard,” Theodore Lowenstein as “Christopher Hillard,” Vivian Atencio as “Natalie Hillard,” Ava Rose Doty as “Natalie Hillard,” Scott Taylor-Cole as “Mr. Jolly/Judge/Doctor,” Naja Bates as “Dance Captain,” Chaz Ingraham as “Director,” Chelsea Lynne Myers  as “Therapist/ Chef Ann/Helga,” Kirstin Angelina Henry as “Sexy Soccer Woman/ Chef Amy/ Flamenco Singer,” Kasey Lazan  as “Young Actress,” Se'Lah Jackson as “Janet Lundy,” Patrick Joseph Wallace as “Chef Louis,” Jayden Cyrus Nelson as “Loopy Lenny/Flamenco Dancer,”  Kade Wright as “Flamenco Dancer/Assistant Dance Captain.” 

Ensemble: Kirstin Angelina Henry, Chaz Ingraham, Se'Lah Jackson, Jaden Kindle, Giulia Marolda, Kade Wright, Chelsea Lynne Myers, Jayden Cyrus Nelson, Patrick Joseph Wallace. 

Swing: Naja Bates, Connor Barton, Kasey Lazan, Izzy Ramirez.

Additional Creative Team:

Scenic Design - David Korins; Costume Design - Catherine Zuber; Lighting Design - Philip S. Rosenberg; Sound Design - Keith Caggiano; Hair and Wig Design - Victoria Tinsman; Original Hair and Wig Design - David Brian Brown; Makeup Design - Craig Forrest Thomas; Dance Music Arrangements - Zane Mark; Associate Director - Stephen Edlund; Associate Choreographer - Michaeljon Slinger; Social Media - Think Tank; Tour Marketing and Press - Allied Global Marketing; Producer and General Manager - Work Light Productions; Production Management - Port City Technical; Tour Booking Agency - The Booking Group; Casting - Murnane Casting.

Performances:

June 26, 2026 through June 28, 2026 

(Contact Box Office for Exact Times) 

Presented at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge Street, Worcester, MA.

TICKETS:

For More Information:  877-571-SHOW (7469) info@thehanovertheatre.org

BUY TICKETS

COVID 19 PROTOCOLS

Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.

(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)

The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts lunges into summer with a broom and a cooking spoon with the 2026 North American Touring production of the musical adaptation "MRS. DOUBTFIRE."   

This musical hits the stage with enough laughs, spills, thrills and sight gags that one might forget just how equally entertaining the musical numbers are in the show - and the set design and costuming details hit a high note in nearly every scene in which Scottish nanny "MRS. DOUBTFIRE" appears. 

All of this would not be possible without the extreme enthusiasm and dedication shown by this show's impressive leads and supporting ensemble.

The story originates from a 1987 novel entitled “Madame Doubtfire” by Anne Fine which turned into the smash 1993 film "MRS. DOUBTFIRE" starring Robin Williams offering another legendary madcap performance. 

The musical features music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick and a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, the same creative team that gave us the fabulous crowd-pleasing “SOMETHING ROTTEN” most recently staged in Boston by Lyric Stage Company. 

The original Broadway production seemed doomed from the outset:

First, the original creative team (which included Alan Menken and Harvey Fierstein) bowed out.

Then, just as "MRS. DOUBTFIRE" began Broadway previews in 2020, all Broadway productions shut down. 

Once "MRS. DOUBTFIRE" resumed and opened to mixed reviews in 2021, by 2022 it suspended all performances until April when, just one month after reopening, the production officially shut down again in May after just 43 previews and 83 regular performances. 

Also around this same time, similar to the musical adaptation of "TOOTSIE" there were complaints about the show's cross-dressing premise which was found offensive to some in the LGBTQ+ Community.

Having male characters fake their identities for the purpose of infiltrating a mostly gender-segregated situation violates contemporary LGBTQ+ cultural sensitivities and would feel dated, tone-deaf and insulting to both cis and trans women.

Despite mediocre turnout and mixed reviews, the original Broadway musical production of "MRS. DOUBTFIRE" would go on to receive two Drama Desk Award nominations (winning one for Outstanding Wig and Hair Design), six Outer Critics Circle Awards (including one for Outstanding New Broadway Musical) and one Tony Award nomination for Best Actor (for Rob McClure in the title role). 

The show began to find a new audience during a 2023 North American Tour and another in 2025 and now it has made it to the Hanover Theatre in the city of Worcester. 

(Photo: Brian Kalinowski as “Frank Hillard,” Craig Allen Smith as “Daniel Hillard," DeVon Wycovia Buchanan as “Andre Mayem” and members of the 2026 National Touring CAST of  "MRS. DOUBTFIRE" now playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. until June 28 2026. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus)

Set in San Francisco, California, Daniel (Craig Allen Smith) is a devoted but reckless father and husband and father, facing divorce from his wife, Miranda (Melissa Campbell). 

Smith is a veritable whirlwind of diverse talent and, as both Daniel and "MRS. DOUBTFIRE," more than meets the challenge of the phrenetic pacing dictated by the O'Farrell script.

If you cannot separate the character of Daniel from Robin Williams, it is understandable and you probably should NOT see this show. 

However, if you do, you will be robbing yourself of witnessing a marvelously frenetic, versatile performance by Smith dominating the musical.

Smith also showcases some fine unanticipated dancing skills along the way in several group numbers.

Campbell, too, is a tremendously talented performer, thankfully given a thoroughly developed character and is also allowed to showcase a fine voice in songs such as the hysterical group number “The Shape of Things to Come” and the more melancholy solo "Let Go."

After Miranda files for divorce, the court liaison officer Wanda Sellner (Kennedy V. Jackson) rules Daniel must obtain steady employment and a place to live in order to be allowed joint custody of the children. 

Upon learning how Miranda is seeking a nanny for the kids, Daniel, in desperation, hatches a ridiculous plan. 

With the help of his make-up artist brother, Frank (Brian Kalinowski), and Frank's partner, Andre (DeVon Wycovia Buchanan), Daniel undergoes a remarkable physical transformation to create the alter ego of relentlessly delightful Scottish nanny, "MRS. DOUBTFIRE."

The team of Kalinowski and Buchanan have incredible chemistry together, absolutely raising the bar on hilarity in every scene in which they appear.

As the persona of "MRS. DOUBTFIRE" Daniel gets the job and begins working for Miranda. 

While beginning as a ruse, in the guise of the stern but loving nanny, suddenly Daniel sees a side of his kids...and himself...that before he never truly saw. 

Being "MRS. DOUBTFIRE," Daniel begins to truly communicate and relate with his children on a parental level he never achieved prior to this preposterous stunt. 

Daniel also established a more equal rapport with his ex-wife as Miranda bonds with and begins to rely upon the “sage counsel” of the elder "MRS. DOUBTFIRE." 

Daniel’s jealousy emerges, though, once Miranda begins dating the wealthy Stuart (nicely played by Collin Salvatorè, who has an powerful voice as evidenced in the musical number "Big Fat No"). 

As Daniel's two older children, Lydia (played at the June 26th performance by Giulia Marolda) and Christopher (played at the June 26th performance by Theodore Lowenstein) learn that (spoiler alert!) "MRS. DOUBTFIRE" is really their father, they agree to keep Daniel’s secret. 

Rounding out the children is Natalie (played at the June 26th performance by Ava Rose Doty) and - separately and together  - the trio of young performers prove quite adept at the fast-paced comedy involved and also can hold their own in comical musical numbers such as the very amusing "What the Hell." 

The show spirals, reaching its insane zenith as Daniel attempts to meet with television executive Janet Lundy (Se'Lah Jackson) pitching a new children's show as himself while, at the exact same moment and restaurant, he must frantically switch back and forth so he can be "MRS. DOUBTFIRE" at Miranda's birthday dinner celebration. 

(Photo: Craig Allen Smith as "MRS. DOUBTFIRE" with the young actors playing the "Hillard children" in the 2026 National Touring CAST of the musical "MRS. DOUBTFIRE" now playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. until June 28 2026. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus)

Ultimately, there are no surprises here, especially if you are a fan of the original Robin Williams’ now-classic movie, which is an inherent issue for any musical stage adaptation of a beloved film. 

Some might recall the example of “PRETTY WOMAN THE MUSICAL” which ran into similar issues prior to this show, and while it, too, is a thoroughly charming musical, it simply cannot replicate the unique popularity of the iconic film, and "MRS. DOUBTFIRE" suffers the same fate. 

Purists of quintessential movies DO NOT WANT these screen-to-stage adaptations - yet investors still mine the potential, hoping their musical will beat the odds. Remind me again – what is the definition of insanity? 

In any event, while neither musical succeeded on Broadway, both (among a select few of others) have found new appreciation from audiences while out on tour and from regional productions – and that is definitely a good thing.

Give "MRS. DOUBTFIRE" a chance and especially enjoy the incredible performance given by Craig Allen Smith, who simply astounds while spending quite possibly more than 75 percent of his time on stage moving at an exhaustive pace without a break.

Let's put it this way - it is a performance so good that, if he were still around today, I could easily see the late Robin Williams being honored by it.

(Craig Allen Smith as "MRS. DOUBTFIRE" dances up a storm with members of the 2026 National Touring CAST of  "MRS. DOUBTFIRE" now playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. until June 28 2026. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus)

"MRS. DOUBTFIRE" continues at the Hanover Theatre  in Worcester until June 28^th, 2026 and is a wild ride indeed.

Propelled by funny moments and highly entertaining musical numbers, "MRS. DOUBTFIRE" conveys the story of a parent attempting to obtain a deeper understanding of his family…and of himself.

Kicking off the 2026-2027 season for the Hanover Theatre Broadway Series will be another blockbuster, the beloved Monty Python musical by Eric Idle and John Du Prez "SPAMALOT" beginning October 4^th, 2026.

For More Information call the Hanover Theatre in Worcester at # 877-571-SHOW (7469) or email info@thehanovertheatre.org.

BUY TICKETS

Approximately two hours, 30 minutes with one intermission.

Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)

@MetrmagReviews

@Theatre_Critics

ABOUT THE SHOW

Everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny is headed to you in the internationally acclaimed hit musical "MRS. DOUBTFIRE" which critics call “wonderful, heart-warming, and laugh-out-loud funny” (Manchester Evening News) and “a feel-good, family-friendly comedy that delivers” (The Hollywood Reporter). 

Based on the beloved film, "MRS. DOUBTFIRE" tells the hysterical and heartfelt story of an out-of-work actor who will do anything for his kids. 

It’s “the lovable, big-hearted musical comedy we need right now,” raves the Chicago Tribune – one that proves we’re better together.

For More Information:  877-571-SHOW (7469) info@thehanovertheatre.org

BUY TICKETS

ABOUT HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Worcester Center for Performing Arts is a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which owns and operates HANOVER THEATRE AND CONSERVATORY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

2 Southbridge Street

Worcester, MA. 01608

# 877-571-SHOW (7469) 

info@thehanovertheatre.org