‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ On Broadway Announces Nine Week Hiatus

In an official statement, theatrical producer Kevin McCollum has announced that the musical Mrs. Doubtfire will be taking a hiatus beginning January 10 until March 14, 2022, only a month after the show opened at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.

This delay comes after the show had already been pushed back by 18-months due to the government-mandated shut-down of Broadway, but Mrs. Doubtfire had strong ticket sales in its first weeks despite some mixed reviews.

McCollum, a veteran producer known for hit shows like Rent and Avenue Q, then reportedly struggled during the holiday run of Mrs. Doubtfire because of last-minute ticket cancellations and several positive cases among Broadway workers that led to him canceling 11 shows.

He told the New York Times that complying with vaccination mandates and managing customer confusion during a holiday rush was like planting a “sapling in a hurricane.”

The show’s cast and crew will not be paid salaries during the hiatus, with McCollum’s statement hinting at a dire financial situation behind the scenes. He claimed that they “would have to close permanently if the production didn’t take drastic, pro-active measures.”

McCollum cited the “pervasiveness” of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 as the chief reason for the delay and wrapped up his statement by expressing “profound and unending admiration” for the whole team behind Mrs. Doubtfire.”

It’s been a rocky returning season for Broadway, with several shows including Waitress and Jagged Little Pill having to close earlier than anticipated in December.

Tickets for Mrs. Doubtfire are still on sale through November 2022, and those that bought tickets for the hiatus dates are able to reschedule or refund their ticket.