On the surface, the touring production of “Mrs. Doubtfire” is no different from the countless hit Broadway musicals that come to Ohio, and this one is a film and musical adaptation based on the beloved 1993 film starring Robin Williams.
But here in Ohio, the musical has become something more. Because Republican co-sponsors of Ohio’s proposed ban on public cross-dressing have repeatedly name-checked “Mrs. Doubtfire” as an example of who they are NO in an attempt to ban, conservative lawmakers deemed the film and musical “acceptable”.
However, the actors in the cast do not try to distance themselves from the drag queens. They own it and are proud of what will be seen when “Mrs. Doubtfire” appears at EJ Thomas Hall in Akron (Jan. 20-21), the Veterans Memorial Civic Center in Lima (Jan. 22) and the Schuster Performing Arts Center in Dayton (May 5-10). Tickets Here.
The Buckeye Flame spoke with the Ohio-based LGBTQ+ artist Kirsten Angelina Henry about touring the country with a musical that became a lightning rod of both controversy and pure joy.
To listen, click the play button directly below or read our (edited) conversation at the audio link.
Growing up in the Cleveland area – Chardon specifically – was musical theater always a goal?
It wasn’t really until my senior year of college that I decided I wanted to pursue musical theater [of high school]. When I was in middle school, I did a few shows and then I went down the soccer path. Still, I thought, “I can’t pursue a career in theater.” my mother really saw it as a career. When I got to my senior year, I thought I could study forensic psychology or musical theater.
And my mom said, “I think you know what you want to do. You just have to do it.” So officially I stuck with musical theater.
You attended Kent State University and participated in many shows, but I want to highlight one particular show in which you were involved. We’ve seen a ton of She Kills Monsters canceled here in Ohio due to its ridiculously minimal LGBTQ+ content, but it’s also been a show where we’ve heard from marginalized youth who say they just feel plain seen by performance. How do you remember participating in this production?
This performance was great. It was virtual, which we definitely had to get used to, but on Zoom we had to do some really chilly effects, like super chilly dragon backgrounds.
They led us Paul Hurley. You mentioned that it was pretty minimal LGBTQ+ themes and moments, but it was something we discussed very well, such as how it affected Tilly – the character I played – in her real life compared to her life in Dungeons and Dragons (D&D).
It was pretty. This cast was amazing and we laughed every day. Some of us have played D&D before, some haven’t. I was one of those who didn’t. So we all got together and played the campaign together, which was a lot of fun. When I look back on this experience, it is very close to my heart.
We love talking about the intersection of LGBTQ+ identity and theater. Was the world of theater a protected place for you?
Absolutely. When I originally came out, I was studying musical theater in college. I went to all my friends and said, “So this is how I feel. I don’t know what it means.” And one of my friends who was already out said, “Honey, you’re gay.”
I returned home to my parents, slowly entered their room and thought: “Mom, dad, I have to tell you something.” And they said, “Is everything okay?” And I just said, “I think I’m bi(sexual).” And they said, “OK, do you need something from us? We support you and love you no matter what.” Fortunately, I experienced something like that and I’m really grateful for it.
As I continued my career, I received nothing but support. I’ve stayed in really good rooms and really good companies that always [prioritized] comfort.
On the other end of the spectrum, you travel the country, visiting states – including here in Ohio – where a proposed drug ban is on the books. And then there’s a specific irony for you and your castmates when you have conservative Republicans who clearly say, “We’re not talking about things like ‘Mrs. Doubtfire.’ What is the experience like when you go to states, including your home state of Ohio, where drag queen bans have been passed or proposed?
It’s ironic that you can sit in this theater and look at our show and not just think, “Oh, this is drag.” Because this Is Pull. I don’t understand how you can look at something as pretty as drag and not see it as the powerful and pretty thing it is.
But it’s annoying because there are people who try to destroy what we do and what we create. There are people who don’t want to see “Mrs. Doubtfire,” who say, “If [drag] is what is at the forefront of your message or your themes, we don’t want to see that.”
But there are people who love what we do. There are people who love the drag community and I promise we are right there with them. We’re not up here trying to make something smaller.
And I think you’ll find that when you see “Mrs. Doubtfire,” there are more moments where we bring our little sparkle and say, “Yes, not all straight people here, honey.”
There are pretty moments – especially in the song where we create Mrs. Doubtfire – when you feel love, support and togetherness. Even when we visit places that have a certain point of view, I think we all try to lead with joy. You may not support what we do, but we will show you that we have a smile on our faces. It’s something that brings us joy, uncompromisingly doing what we love. I think that sustains us as we pass through these particular cities.
I wanted to ask you next: “Sell to everyone who will go to this show.” But I think you just did it! So let me ask you one last question: Give us Kirsten Angelina Henry’s patented advice for newborn LGBTQ+ people in Ohio who want to exploit their voices in the pretty and real way that you exploit them.
One of the most essential things I’ve learned is to believe that – it sounds cheesy, but – I am a garden. Weeds can only continue to bloom and thrive in my garden if I allow them to [those weeds are] the bigots and people in the world who try to destroy my joy and magic. I keep telling myself to pull the weeds. You pull out the weeds and they can’t bloom.
I think you have to water your garden as best you can, whether it’s music or art or drugs or whatever you want to do.
No matter what others say, there is a place for you if you continue to water your garden with joy and surrounded by good community. 🔥
START ACTION
- “Mrs. Doubtfire” will be shown at EJ Thomas Hall in Akron (Jan. 20-Jan. 21), Veterans Hall in Lima (Jan. 22) and Schuster Theater in Dayton (May 5-Oct.). Get tickets Here.
- Follow Kirsten Angelina Henry Here.
