Cindy Adams

Cindy Adams

Opinion

Broadway director Jerry Zaks on the new ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ and ‘Music Man’ shows

Zaks’ B’way double play

Jerry Zaks has more awards than Kamala has apologies. Pre-pandemic, he manipulated Bette Midler through “Hello, Dolly!” Mid-pandemic, he’s simultaneously directing Hugh Jackman’s “Music Man” redo with Sutton Foster at the Winter Garden plus doing the newie “Mrs. Doubtfire” at the Stephen Sondheim.

Zaks: “ ‘Doubtfire,’ where we had to rewrite some, opens Dec. 5. ‘Music Man’ on Feb. 10. Two years ago to develop a ‘Music Man’ set plus have a table read — actors sitting around reading a first-time script — was all on Zoom.

“ ‘Music Man’ with Hugh, which premiered 1957 at the Majestic and won five Tonys, is in rehearsal now with Warren Carlyle. They’ve worked together before and Carlyle choreographed ‘Hello, Dolly!’ with me. To get in shape, Hugh’s been dancing a year and a half nonstop.

“Going back and forth between ‘Doubtfire’ to ‘Music Man’ I’ve walked 5 million steps. I have to make sure I keep my legs because we’re working our tails off. I tell you one thing: Because of all the walking, my 1986 tux fits perfectly.”

About slightly rewritten “Doubtfire,” Robin Williams’ 1993 comedy film now starring Rob McClure, he says: “At first I felt a bit apprehensive, but now I know we’re in great shape.”

Needed now is only for Zaks’ legs to hold up.


Movie is Gucci, Gucci, ewww!

The “House of Gucci” movie rates four oys. Boring, tiresome, overlong, ugh. An ill-fitting suit’s better. Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons are excellent because they always are. Gaga, omnipresent with omnipotent close-ups, is not omniscient. A cinematic Krazy Glue she’s not. The film’s slow. Overlong. Dragged out. You can’t wait till it’s over so you can go pee. If you’re itchy to see Gucci — go to the store.

Adam Driver and Lady Gaga in the movie "House of Gucci."
Adam Driver and Lady Gaga in the movie “House of Gucci.” Fabio Lovino/MGM via AP

No “Thanks”

Being pandemic time once again, here’s history: 1621. The Wampanoags showed our settlers how to plant crops, but no tribesmen were asked to this first Thanksgiving meal. Despite being stiffed on invites, they crashed. They also contributed deer (not turkey). Their reward? They caught diseases exported by these Pilgrims for which their immune systems were ill equipped to battle. As a result, some Native Americans have declared Thanksgiving a “day of mourning.”


A look ahead

Psychic Paula Roberts’ 2022 predictions:

NYC: Mayor Eric Adams fights crime, improves public transportation, accommodates a quarter of unused office space for mixed-income families, bans cars 24/7 from Central Park. Always punctual.

US: COVID recedes 2023 . . . MARKETS end year well . . . INDUSTRIES slow first quarter, increase in March . . . TECH volatile, but overall good . . . GOLD steady investment. Modest increases . . . OIL long-term investment . . . CARNIVAL Cruise stock crashes . . . BANKS good first quarter, drop end March, will regain.

International: Japan: Good investment long term despite losing major South Korea contract.

Crypto: Correction early. Need strong stomach. Worthwhile long term.


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Not only in New York, kids, not only in New York.