Based on the hit film adaptation starring breakout star Julia Roberts and then megastar Richard Gere, Pretty Woman put a fairy tale spin on a story about a clever prostitute who charms a rich guy. The film is produced by Disney no less and solidly directed by the late esteemed Garry Marshall. With natural elegance, pitch perfect comic timing, and tangible chemistry with Gere who she went on to star with in other film projects due to their thriving and bankable chemistry, Julia Roberts instantly became America’s Sweetheart at just 21 years old.
A lot of big box office movies adapt into musicals and Garry Marshall is behind Pretty Woman the Musical.
Directed with upbeat choreography by Jerry Mitchell, music by award-winning singer-songwriters Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and based on the book by Garry Marshall and J.F. Lawton, Pretty Woman the Musical continues live and in person at the Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, March 3. Click here for more information and for tickets.
Featuring Chase Wolfe as Edward and adorable Ellie Baker as Vivian creating their own winning chemistry, Pretty Woman the Musical is a feel good adaptation with some memorable musical numbers and includes the beloved and iconic moments that charged the 1990 romantic comedy classic.
Tall metallic palm trees with Hollywood store signs warmly lit by Kenneth Posner and Philip S. Rosenberg bring glitzy California to life by scenic designers David Rockwell and Christine Peters. The rolling set cleverly transforms from energetic city streets to picturesque elegance as silk drapes adorn a gold embroidered balcony with extravagant detailed furnishings including the film’s iconic black baby grand piano.
From colorful street clothes to flowing runway fashion to majestic gowns that include Vivian’s iconic red dress, costume designer Gregg Barnes exacts the splashy nature and 80s vibe of this fantasy fairy tale. Commanded by Lauren Esser’s soaring vocals boasted by a powerful rock growl stepping in for Rae Davenport as Kit, fashion bursts onto the scene in the flashy number Rodeo Drive infused with a guitar-tinged rock n roll vibe oozing in the sophistication of many shoppers’ fondest dreams.
One spectacular performer who does a lot of the heavy lifting is Adam Du Plessis as Happy Man. He not only delivers candid and fun-loving charisma to the neon glow of Hollywood Boulevard for What’s Your Dream, a catchy opening number with a tropic tinge, but watch for Du Plessis to pop up unexpectedly and delightedly in various sequences throughout the production boasting sharp comic wit and dynamic spontaneity. Whether in a colorful Hawaiian shirt under a flowing trench coat or dressed to the nines, Du Plessis has quite the range as Happy Man. He shares an endearing rapport with Connor Kabat depicting Giulio with scene stealing goofy sweetness reminiscent of night elevator operator Patrick Richwood from the film.
Ellie Baker has a lot to live up to and successfully makes the role her own through those signature red curls. Baker infuses a unique and goofier free spirit and effervescence to Vivian more playful than Roberts’s engaging portrayal. Julia Roberts had more of an established elegance in her role, even when she is trying to look tough. Baker has bubbly comic timing and a snigger as charming as her beautiful face. She performs a stirring rendition of This is My Life, created from one of Vivian’s monologues to Edward. She also delivers a heightened and powerful solo for I Can’t Go Back.
In a black suit, maroon tie, and a stubbly beard, Chase Wolfe portrays a more rugged, contemplative, and serious businessman in Edward apart from Richard Gere’s subtle charm. Wolfe offers a separate lightness to the role and shares playful chemistry with Baker particularly for You’re Beautiful. Edward’s character is developed further than in the film, especially during his insightful solo, Freedom which is a nice addition drawn from Edward’s monologue in the film to Vivian.
With thick pink eye shadow, studded black skirt and biker jacket, Lauren Esser’s distinct accent and tough facade as Kit uplifts Luckiest Girl in the World alongside Baker as Vivian and in the bright and catchy number, Never Give Up on a Dream. Kit’s spitfire persona and shoot-from-the hip attitude is a tougher version of Laura San Giocomo’s benchmark performance, but here Kit is a more established character and given a larger arc than in the film. She and Baker share a strong and protective bond evident from Kit’s first scene.
Jason Alexander has said that his opportunity for George from Seinfeld came from Pretty Woman and it was a hard fought battle for him to play the role of Edward’s lawyer and friend, Phillip Stuckey. However, in this version, Mikey Marmann is more of what director Garry Marshall originally had in mind for Stuckey’s intimidating, slimy, and snarky persona and Ellie Barker as Vivian’s updated and more welcoming interactions with him are a little different this time around.
Whether it is Sara Wang’s astounding vocals or even the beautiful rendition of You and I which has an unmistakable Bryan Adams influence, Pretty Woman the Musical is an uplifting musical journey that will please fans of the film or anyone experiencing it for the first time.
Directed with upbeat choreography by Jerry Mitchell, music by award-winning singer-songwriters Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and based on the book by Garry Marshall and J.F. Lawton Pretty Woman the Musical continues live and in person at the Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, March 3. Click here for more information and for tickets.