Have you ever had two of your favourite things unexpectedly collide?
I, like many, love the romcom classic Pretty Woman, starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Concidentally, Canadian musician Bryan Adams is also my favourite songwriter of all time. I distinctively remember when Pretty Woman: The Musical was first announced to have its music and lyrics by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, his usual collaborator for his own discography, I was excited.
With its book by Garry Marshall and J. F. Lawton, the musical is based on the 1990 film of the same name written by Lawton and directed by Marshall, which means that the musical was in safe hands with a team that actually care about honouring what was so great about the iconic movie, making modern changes, and bringing this Cinderella tale to life on stage for a new audience.
Despite being a fan of both things, I wanted to be surprised. I didn’t want to listen to the cast recording beforehand nor look anything up in advance because the original content and Bryan Adams’ music have already been so special to me and I wanted to be surprised. When Pretty Woman finally opened at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre, I must admit, I wasn’t just surprised.
We follow Vivian Ward played Samantha Jade, who made her musical theatre debut with this production during its Brisbane season October last year. With Melbourne as Pretty Woman’s final city on its national tour, what I witnessed with Jade’s performance seriously felt like a seasoned professional being in her element, in her home of musical theatre. You honestly could have fooled me that she’s been in the theatre industry for years! Jade is perfect as our heroine Vivian. I actually hope she does more musical theatre in the future.
The musical is mostly by the book and doesn’t shy away from steamy and romantic intimacy, much like in the original film. It is sexy, it’s tasteful, and both Samantha Jade and her co-star Ben Hall, who plays Edward Lewis, both own it. The stage version of Vivian is sexier, softer, quirkier and honestly, a little bit sillier but in a good way, while Edward is shyer, hesitant, awkward, attractive, thoughtful and dorkier, which I loved.
Vivian has her theme song ‘Anywhere But Here’, while ‘Freedom’ is Edward’s theme. Both songs are full of longing, feeling like a compass that they hold within, pointing their destinies towards each other. The sweeping romantic ballad ‘You and I’ is also stunning and I’m still trying to process how they managed to make that scene work. Incredible, really.
Both Vivian and Edward have had their personalities and qualities expanded and it’s fascinating to watch them evolve on the Melbourne stage. Jade and Hall already shine so brightly on their own but together their chemistry is believable, electric and undeniable. Despite Vivian and Edward being in differing social classes, you can’t help but root for them to get together from the very beginning.
Another cast member who has made her musical theatre debut is musical comedian and mutant lung extraordinaire, Michelle Brasier. It’s hard to believe this is her first stage musical! Brasier is undeniably showstopping with her phenomenal vocals and captivating stage presence as Vivian’s industry bestie and roommate, Kit De Luca. She slays hard with the song ‘Rodeo Drive’ and it’s honestly worth the cost of your ticket alone to see Michelle Braiser exactly where she was meant to always be – in musical theatre! Douglas Hansell as well, is great as the resident antagonist, Philip Stuckey. Although he, alongside, Jordan Angelides‘ David Morse are plot drivers that move the story forward, you relish every moment they are on stage. No scene ever feels like a waste of time or space. Every moment has purpose.
A smart change is how the “What’s your dream?” Happy Man also doubles as the kind hotel manager Mr. Thompson, played brilliantly by Tim Omaji. Omaji eases into his various roles seamlessly, and it feels like a fun ‘Where’s Wally?’ moment trying to spot what he does next and how exactly he will appear. Not to mention, Omaji is smooth, has lovely vocals, is a wonderful dancer and his moments ballroom dancing with Jordan Tomljenovic‘s Giulio are both hilarious and divine with ‘On a Night Like Tonight’. You will not be able to take your eyes off either of them. Trust me.
It is no secret that in Pretty Woman, an essential scene in the film is when Vivian and Edward go to the opera to see La Traviata. I had wondered how this would play out on stage. Would we hear original opera tunes instead? Nope! We hear little snippets of La Traviata!
Multi-talented cast members Rebecca Gulinello and Callum Warrender are both musical theatre trained and opera trained, and to the delight of many in the Melbourne audience, the pair were magnificent as Violeta and Alfredo. I’ve seen La Traviata on stage, and I must confess, the Pretty Woman had me curious enough to go see it as my first opera. Having the theatrical version of the epic romance movie honour the storyline and take patrons along with them to the opera, even if just for one song, is a gift for audiences and was the show’s greatest surprise.
Many of Vivian’s costumes are like the stylish wardrobe that we see the character have in the film. Every single touch, from the sound design, lighting design (the silhouettes in this are gorgeous), hair design down to the scenic design have been done in a way that honours the original source like an open love letter. I also would highly recommend watching the original film prior to seeing this musical to truly appreciate this wonderful stage adaptation of one of the greatest romantic comedies of all time.
Pretty Woman is the feel-good musical of the year; adapting one of the best romcoms film to the stage, with excellent music by arguably the best songwriters in the world, featuring eye-candy for everyone, a supreme and talented cast, perfect casting, exquisite romance cleverly refreshed for modern times, and a tale that’s full of joy and happy endings. It’s hard not to be enchanted by this modern Cinderella story. Oh, I love Pretty Woman.
Proudly presented by Jones Theatrical, ATG Productions and Gavin Kalin, Pretty Woman is currently playing in Melbourne at the Regent Theatre until September 13. The Melbourne season is the final city of its successful Australian debut and tour.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://prettywomanthemusical.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/prettywomanmusicalau
Photography by Grant Alexander.
