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[title]Turned into an absolute classic of ’90s family cinema, Mrs. Doubtfire returns to the stage in a local adaptation with big ambitions. Papá por siempre opens on January 16, 2026 at Teatro Liceo (tickets here) and promises to be one of the standout titles of the Buenos Aires summer (more here). A musical comedy for the whole family, with a live orchestra, physical humor, genuine emotion, and a lead actor taking on a role as iconic as it is demanding.
At the helm is Martín “Campi” Campilongo, who steps into the role made famous by Robin Williams with a mix of respect, vertigo, and pure enjoyment. Ahead of the premiere, we talked with him about the weight of the character, the physical challenge of a musical with a live band, working with a young cast, and the emotion of embodying a father willing to do anything to keep his bond with his children. Co-starring Dani “La Chepi” —making her musical theater debut— and directed by Ariel Del Mastro, Papá por siempre recaptures the spirit of the original film, translating it to the stage with a local, contemporary, and deeply emotional imprint.
Papá por siempre is an iconic and much-loved character. What was the first thing you thought when you were offered the chance to step into Mrs. Doubtfire’s shoes, and what about this project made you say yes?
The project came through Juan Caballé, the producer. I already had another project lined up for January, but this one dazzled me because of its scale. And not to mention the precedent that my character was played by Robin Williams — I loved it; it completely blew my mind!
You come from solo shows, popular comedy, and also strong fictional roles, like Domingo Cavallo in Menem. At what point in your career does this musical find you, and what do you feel you can bring to the character now that you maybe couldn’t before?
I try all the time to take on jobs that aren’t easy for me, that push me out of my comfort zone. No, no, no — I don’t know that place. Every time a job comes along, it has to have a certain level of complexity and difficulty for me, to force me to dig into places I don’t know, to learn and discover new things. Papá por siempre is tremendous in that sense. It’s very different from what I’ve been doing. I said yes at this point in my life because I feel prepared, and I’m learning a ton.
I try all the time to take on jobs that aren’t easy for me, that push me out of my comfort zone
Your humor always blends laughter with a strong emotional side. How do you work that balance in a family show, where the message has to reach both kids and adults?
I always take on work that my kids can see without feeling embarrassed. That’s my boundary for play. My older kids are grown now, but the youngest is 13. So my work is always something the family can watch. That’s my limit. And I like that — I like both sides of theater: drama and comedy. And this show has that: it has emotion and it has a lot of comedy. And as a spectator and as an actor, when I go to the theater or when I’m onstage, I like there to be both things. When both are there, I go home feeling full.
I always take on work that my kids can see without feeling embarrassed
The cast brings together a lot of emerging talent — like Albana Fuentes, Pablo Albella, and several children. What do you feel you can contribute from your experience, and what do you get back from working with such a diverse generation?
The new kids are teaching me a lot. I’m very alert because they bring something truly new; the whole new wave brings genuinely new things. You may like it or not, but you have to stay alert, be like a sponge and absorb it. Personally, I love it. I know there are a lot of people my age who might not agree as much. I’m very receptive. There are many things I don’t understand, and that’s exactly where I try to pay closer attention. They teach me a lot, and I’ve had many teachers and very generous colleagues throughout my life, and I hope I can give back in the same way. I try to share what I’ve learned.
You’re starring in a musical with a live orchestra onstage. What specific challenges does this genre present, and what excites you about taking them on?
The live orchestra sounds incredible. I feel like a rockstar — I feel like a rockstar up there singing with a live band. Yeah, I’m Juanse from Los Ratones; I love it, I’m thrilled. For me it’s brand new; it’s never happened to me before.
And the first challenge is age: I’m 56, and I’m dancing and doing a lot of things that, at my age, aren’t as easy as they are at 20. In fact, when I said yes to this project, I had to quit smoking and start training. I’ve been training since April, and I quit smoking in April too, to be up to the task and be able to deliver.
When I said yes to this project, I had to quit smoking and start training
The show puts fatherhood and unconditional love for children front and center. How do you define yourself as a father, and how do you think your kids would define you?
As a father, I think I’m a very good dad, yes. My kids tell me that. They came to see the rehearsals and said, “Oh! You do the same things you do in real life — you do voices and you’re always cracking jokes.” So it seems Daniel has a lot of me in him, or I have a lot of him in me. We have a lot in common.