Mrs. Doubtfire (Broadway touring) at Kauffman Center, Kansas City MO (June 2-7, 2026) review

“Help is on the way, dear!”

The Broadway touring production of Mrs. Doubtfire arrives in Kansas City with a run through the weekend at the Kauffman Center, to delight and entertain audiences with a feel-good production, inspired from the 1993 Chris Columbus-directed film, starring the late Robin Williams.

This musical version allows a new generation to experience, and an older audience to re-visit the heartwarming story of struggling actor Daniel Hillard, who loses custody of his children after a bitter divorce and ends up disguising himself as the Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire, in order to both fulfill a work requirement and also remain close to his family.

It’s the kind of show that is basically make-or-break, depending on the performance of the lead. Thankfully, Craig Allen Smith (in his first national tour) manages to interpret his own version of Williams’ most beloved film roles without mimicking him and helps convince the audience that there is more to the story than just nostalgia. The musical format helps to reinvent the material and embraces its crowd-pleasing book with a mix of caffeinated energy and genuine heart.

We didn’t have time prior, to squeeze in a re-watch of the original film, but that ended up being just as well, to avoid further (perhaps unfair) comparisons, and to be more able to take the musical production (featuring tour direction by Steve Edlund) on its own unique merits.

Smith throws himself fully into the lead role with the multi-faceted mix of vocal impersonations, physical comedy, sincere emotional moments, and a marathon-like stamina to do quick scene and costume changes, as the story demands.

As an actor, Smith seems to understand that the audience has to believe in the lengths his character goes to, and the desperation to become a better person for his family. Although the nanny role calls for a bulky body suit, a large wig, and thick latex mask, it’s in that persona that Smith really seems to loosen and become more relatable, despite all the necessary hiding of his nanny’s true identity.

Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick’s songs help carry the plot and pacing along, but all seem to work more as individual scene soundtracks, versus a more cohesive overall score. The production’s lighting is well-crafted without being overpowering, and the scenic design provided a proper setting of dwellings and neighborhoods but could have used a few more varied backdrops.

The choreography sometimes bordered on organized chaos, but that was due to the manic nature of Smith’s character, dramatic dream sequences, and the fast rhythm of moving from scene to scene, so mostly felt appropriate.

Melissa Campbell, as Hillard’s estranged wife, Miranda has a nice solo turn on “Let Go” in the second act, and the oldest of their three children, Lydia, played by Alanis Sophia, had several noteworthy singing moments, so should be one to watch, as her career further develops.

As a lead character, Smith’s Daniel is an everyman imperfect who comes to realize his shortcomings and makes an empathetic effort to redeem himself, which makes him familiar and more realistic, as opposed to a sitcom-like persona.

The script updates itself with nods to modern technology (cellphones and tablets, online food delivery, social media) and a few contemporary pop culture references, that help keeps the story engaging and more recognizable.

But, despite the bombast, it’s the quieter moments that land the most- a separating husband, wife, and their children dealing with the fractured realities of divorce, trying to make your way in an often unforgiving world, and staying an inspirational presence in your children’s lives, no matter the circumstances.

And that’s what truly resonates and makes Mrs. Doubtfire the kind of family-friendly production that you can simply sit back and enjoy, and maybe realize the value of love, a little more, in the end.

MRS. DOUBTFIRE TOUR DATES

June 2-7 KANSAS CITY, MO KAUFFMAN CENTER

Wednesday, June 3, 7:30 PM
Thursday, June 4, 7:30 PM
Friday, June 5, 7:30 PM
Saturday, June 6, 2:00 PM
Saturday, June 6, 7:30 PM
Sunday, June 7, 1:00 PM
Sunday, June 7, 6:30 PM

June 10 ROANOKE, VA BERGLUND CENTER
June 11 SPARTANBURG, SC MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM
June 12-14 CHATTANOOGA, TN SOLDIERS & SAILORS AUDITORIUM
June 16-21 BIRMINGHAM, AL BJCC CONCERT HALL
June 26-28 WORCESTER, MA THE HANOVER THEATRE
July 22-August 2 LAS VEGAS, NV THE VENETIAN THEATRE
August 18-23 MEXICO CITY CENTRO CULTURAL TEATRO 1
September 22-27 AUSTIN, TX BASS CONCERT HALL
October 6-11 NORTH CHARLESTON, SC NC PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
October 13-25 HOUSTON, TX THE HOBBY CENTER
October 29 OCEAN CITY, MD OC PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
October 30-November 1 DURHAM, NC DPAC
November 17-22 INDIANAPOLIS, IN CLOWES MEMORIAL HALL
December 1-2 MELBOURNE, FL KING CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
December 9-11 HERSHEY, PA HERSHEY THEATRE
December 12-13 WATERBURY, CT PALACE THEATER
December 15-20 ATLANTA, GA FOX THEATRE
—– 2027 ——
January 5-10 CALGARY, AB SOUTHERN ALBERTA JUBILEE AUDITORIUM
January 12-17 EDMONTON, AB NORTHERN ALBERTA JUBILEE AUDITORIUM
January 19-24 VANCOUVER, BC QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE
January 26-31 BOISE, ID MORRISON CENTER
February 5-7 MESA, AZ TOM AND JANET IKEDA THEATER
February 16-21 SAN JOSE, CA CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

National Tour Photo Credit: Joan Marcus