Hello, dearies! “Mrs. Doubtfire” swept into the National Arts Centre on Tuesday night with a feather duster in one hand and a rubber mask in the other, and let me tell you, opening night audiences were eating it up like a perfectly prepared dinner.

Craig Allen Smith is an absolute revelation as both the lovably chaotic Daniel Hillard and his sensible-shoed alter ego, Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire. He’s got Robin Williams’s manic energy without being a copycat, juggling voices, accents, and prosthetics like he was born in a makeup chair. Watching him frantically switch between dad mode and nanny mode is like witnessing a one-man circus, and it’s glorious.

The musical throws nearly 20 songs at you, and the peppy numbers like “I’m Rockin’ Now” and “Easy Peasy” will have you bopping in your seat. There’s also a sweet father-daughter duet called “Just Pretend” that’ll sneak up on you with the emotions. Who knew a show about a dad in drag could make you tear up?

Melissa Campbell is fantastic as the fed-up wife Miranda (can you blame her?), and the kids are genuinely great, especially Alanis Sophia as snarky teenager Lydia. The whole family dynamic feels real, even when things get absolutely bonkers.

Speaking of bonkers, the restaurant scene where Daniel ping-pongs between a job interview and a family dinner while “Mrs. Doubtfire” is supposed to be at both? Chef’s kiss. It’s theatrical chaos at its finest. And don’t even get me started on the nightmare sequence with an entire chorus line of creepy Doubtfires. It’s weird, it’s wild, and it works.

Sure, the show gets a bit mushy at the end with its message about modern families and love conquering all, but honestly? After two and a half hours of watching a man stuff himself into pantyhose and a floral dress to see his kids, you’ve earned the warm fuzzies.

Bottom line: “Mrs. Doubtfire” at the National Arts Centre is a blast. It’s got heart, it’s got laughs, and it’s got Craig Allen Smith doing quick-changes that would make Superman jealous.

“Mrs. Doubtfire” runs November 4-9, 2025 at the National Arts Centre. Tickets available at broadwayacrosscanada.ca

Grab your tickets, grab your family, and prepare for a ridiculously good time. 

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