On the afternoon of the 21st, a press call for the musical 'Mrs. Doubtfire' was held at the Charlotte Theater in Songpa-gu, Seoul. The event featured actors Hwang Jung-min, Jung Sung-hwa, and Jung Sang-hoon, who shared insights about the production.
'Mrs. Doubtfire' is a musical adaptation of the film starring Robin Williams. It follows the story of Daniel, a divorced man who disguises himself as a nanny, Mrs. Doubtfire, to care for his three children at his ex-wife Miranda's house.
This production marks Hwang Jung-min's return to the musical stage after a decade, drawing attention even before its premiere. During the recent Chuseok holiday, the show sold out every performance, proving its popularity.
In the musical, Daniel showcases his skills in tap dancing, rapping, and cooking while switching between the roles of a father and a nanny. Despite being away from the stage for ten years, Hwang Jung-min delivered a seasoned performance. Jung Sang-hoon noted, "The protagonist plays two roles, so it feels like he's running around alone. Sung-hwa helped me find a direct path, and Jung-min's ideas were invaluable." Comedian-turned-actor Jung Sung-hwa added, "The beatboxing and tap dancing I did in comedy skits seem to have had a positive impact, and audiences appear to watch with confidence."
Hwang Jung-min also assisted Jung Sung-hwa and Jung Sang-hoon in interpreting the production. Jung Sung-hwa shared, "In the initial run, we focused on humor, but now we consider why Daniel would go to such lengths to see his children." He added, "With Hwang Jung-min's involvement, we conducted extensive research and revisions, leading audiences to come expecting humor but leaving in tears."
All three actors have families, which likely deepened their connection to the family-centric narrative. Jung Sang-hoon humorously remarked, "The divorce scene is the most memorable," causing laughter at the event. He explained, "As an actor, you need to immerse yourself emotionally, and in that scene, I recall my mistakes with my wife."
Jung Sung-hwa expressed, "There's a scene where Daniel greets the children with 'My puppies!' and it feels like I'm hugging my own kids." He continued, "The script shows that family issues can be resolved through communication. I've learned to apologize like that through this production."
The musical's core message is the value of family. Jung Sung-hwa noted, "As I age, I realize that family should be the top priority in life. I want to convey that family is a precious place that makes us who we are. This production has made me reflect on my attitude towards my family."
Jung Sang-hoon added, "Just as Daniel transforms into Mrs. Doubtfire, parents also change. We question if we're leading our families correctly, but we continue to learn and adapt our parenting styles. These changes are acts of love and consideration for our children."
The essence of 'Mrs. Doubtfire' is captured in the line, "Even if we're apart, as long as there's love in our hearts, we're connected." The actors shared that this line often brings tears to the audience.
Jung Sung-hwa concluded, "To remind audiences of the importance of family and encourage them to reach out to their loved ones, we actors must fully embody Daniel on stage. Watching Daniel grow as a father and a man through his transformation into a nanny is the heart of this musical and its key attraction."