There’s no doubt about this musical

Part of the reason "Mrs. Doubtfire" translates so well from celluloid to the stage as a musical theater production is that it's an over the top spectacle.

The late Robin Williams, who was both endearing and larger than life, played Doubtfire to perfection. Williams' physical comedy and improvised lines helped make "Mrs. Doubtfire" a classic. One of the most entertaining family films of the '90s has become a traveling production and will appear Tuesday, Feb. 3, at the Paramount Theatre.

"It's so much fun to be part of this show," Collin Salvatore said while calling from Toronto. "There is so much physical comedy in the film and in this production."

Salvatore, 29, plays Stu Dunmeyer, who was portrayed by Pierce Brosnan in the film.

When Miranda Hillard announces that she intends to divorce protagonist Daniel Hillard, the latter poses as Euphegenia Doubtfire. Hillard's disguise fools his family, and he re-enters the home as a housekeeper in order to remain with the three children he shares with his wife. Miranda Hillard starts dating her old friend Stu. Hijinks ensue.

Williams' performance, in which he plays a desperate loving father and an elderly Scottish nanny, was universally lauded.

"Who didn't love 'Mrs. Doubtfire?’“ Salvatore said. "I was very young when I saw it and it spoke to me since I'm a child of divorce. It happens in our society. So many children live in a house in which their mother and father are no longer together. Kids wonder if the divorce is their fault. Could they have done something differently? You see divorce from the childrens’ perspective in 'Mrs. Doubtfire.’"

Divorce is also seen through the eyes of Dunmeyer, who is attracted to Miranda Hilard.

"It's interesting playing Stu since some people look at him as a villain, but Stuart really isn't a villain," Salvatore said. "He's a confident guy who believes he's the best option for Miranda. It's fun to play what people perceive to be the bad guy. It's a fun role in a great production. This is such a blast since everyone knows the movie and there's even more room for physical comedy on stage. It's so funny to me that I've done this show over 100 times and I still laugh out loud."

Salvatore enjoys being part of the physical comedy and witnessing it while on the wings.

"It's just a joy to watch the slapstick and all of the funny dancing in the show," Salvatore said. "I love the story incorporating love, divorce, parenting and so much more. It's a rare show in which you're laughing uncontrollably one minute and the next moment you're dealing with this unexpectedly emotional scene. 'Mrs. Doubtfire' is unique."

It's a fast-moving show with quick costume changes and even quicker clever lines.

"My first day as a woman and I'm getting hot flashes," Mrs. Doubtfire cracks during the kitchen fire incident.

Of course there are jokes about gender differences.

"A woman would never make a nuclear bomb," Mrs. Doubtfire says. "They would never make a weapon that kills, no, no. They'd make a weapon that makes you feel bad for a while."

But when folks leave "Mrs. Doubtfire" they tend to feel good, which isn't a surprise to Salvatore.

"It's a great story and it's so nostalgic. You can't help but go back to when you first saw 'Mrs, Doubtfire.' It's really well-written, you can connect with it and it's just so magical. 'Mrs. Doubtfire' is a beautiful love letter of a story."

Salvatore, who grew up in South Florida, is looking forward to his first trip to Iowa. The charismatic thespian played the lead in a regional production of "The Bridges of Madison County."

"After being in ‘The Bridges of Madison County,’ I would love to see the Roseman Covered Bridge," Salvatore said. "I would love to visit that area in Iowa and just Iowa in general. That's what's fun about what I do. I get to see much of the country."

Unlike many of his peers, acting wasn't on Salvatore's radar until recently.

"I didn't study theater in school," Salvatore said. "I did a little theater in high school but I didn't do much."

By day Salvatore worked as an EMT firefighter when he was bit by the acting bug.

"I did some amateur theater and I loved it," Salvatore said. "I didn't think about it as a career when I got out of high school. I got a real job since I didn't think it was a smart decision to start an acting career"

But after moving to New York, Salvatore focused on acting.

"I learned that I really love what I do," Salvatore said. "I get to go on the road and work with an amazing crew and cast in shows like 'Mrs. Doubtfire.' I'm incredibly fortunate."