'There's Love At The End Of The Day': Mrs. Doubtfire Musical Debuts In Tulsa

Most people have probably seen the 1993 movie Mrs Doubtfire... starring Robin Williams and Sally Field.

Now, you have the chance to see that story turned into a musical, as the Broadway Touring Company makes a stop in Tulsa. Alex Ringler plays Stuart Dunmire, the boyfriend of Miranda Hillard played by Pierce Brosnan in the movie, and he joined News On 6 to talk about the show that brings the film to the stage.

Contrasting Characters

Ringler explained how his character, Stuart, is the opposite of the Daniel character from the original movie.

"I think it's just to be the exact opposite of the Daniel character, who's kind of like, as Robin Williams says, short, fuzzy and funny, and then, and then Stewart's this, you know, kind of tall, well Well, up, you know, kind of well and fit and British, just to make him the exact opposite."

Bringing a New Interpretation

As the first American actor to play the role, Ringler discussed his approach to the character.

"I understudied the role for the first year of the tour, and then our steward was leaving, and they offered me the role. And I thought that was, that was great. But, yeah, I'm the first American actor to play the role, because they have a couple of they've had a production going on in the UK, and so that's a British actor. And then all the iterations here, then Brits."

Exploring the Themes of Family

Ringler emphasized the importance of family as a central theme in the story, highlighting a poignant scene from the original film.

"I think it's really about family in every shape and form. I think we're really at the end of the movie Mrs. Doubtfires reading to kids and reading a letter that someone sent her, and asks if, because their family is separating, are they still a real family? And she goes on to say that there are so many families out there, and all of them are just as valid as another, as long as there's love at the end of the day."

Balancing Comedy and Emotional Depth

Ringler discussed how the director, Jerry Sacks, structured the show to balance the comedic elements with the emotional depth of the story.

"He's like, you hit him with the comedy up front. And then you kind of, then they care about the character. So act two, you can take them through the journey of the kind of changing and becoming who they need to be by the end of the show."

Connecting with Audiences

Ringler reflected on the different ways audiences may connect with the story, both as children and as adults.

"As a kid, I was a kid watching it, and you just watch the funny and the quick changes and the pie in the face, and you're laughing. But as you're an adult, and some people who now have kids as adults, they're introducing their children to this, and they're kind of seeing the other side of like, oh, this is a father struggling to connect with his kids in this situation where the family is kind of splitting up a little bit, and so it can be touching in that way."

The Challenges of Touring

Ringler acknowledged the grueling schedule of the tour, including performing eight shows a week and traveling on the day off.

"We do eight shows a week in six days, and in our seventh day, we're generally traveling to the next city, so that's our day off. Is getting up early to get on a plane, but you guys get up early every day. I know you get it, but it can be a little grueling, but the payoff is that we get to do something that we love every day."

The Mrs. Doubtfire musical is playing in Tulsa through Sunday, with matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets are available at Celebrity Attractions