The Pretty Woman musical had its Canadian premiere in Calgary in October 2022. The musical is an adaptation of the popular 1990 romantic comedy film of the same name starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. The stage musical features music and lyrics by Grammy winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance. It first premiered on Broadway in 2018 before embarking on a North American tour in 2020. The musical made its way to Calgary as part of this tour, with a limited run at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium from October 11-16, 2022.
Show Length
The Pretty Woman musical runs approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes including one 15 minute intermission. This is fairly standard for a Broadway-style musical production. The show contains 2 acts – Act 1 runs for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, followed by the 15 minute intermission, and then Act 2 runs for approximately 1 hour.
Theatre performances typically run on a very tight schedule. The show needs to start and end at precise times in order to accommodate patrons arriving and departing within allocated time slots. So the running time is meticulously planned by the creative team during the development process. The musical numbers, scenes, and script are crafted to fit within the allotted 2 hour 30 minute timeframe. Once the show opens, the cast and crew work hard to stick to the timing each night.
Some key factors that determine the overall running time of a stage musical are:
- Number of musical numbers and reprises
- Length of dialogue scenes
- Number of set/costume changes
- Intermission placement
- Entrance/exit of audience around showtime
The creative team puts a lot of thought into pacing the show in a way that best serves the story while also keeping within reasonable running time. Pretty Woman the musical aims to recreate all the magic and excitement of the beloved film for the stage, while condensing the story down to fit into a live theatrical timeframe.
Storyline Content
The musical stays relatively faithful to the story of the film. Here is a brief overview of the musical’s plot and how it compares to the movie:
- Act 1 introduces Vivian Ward, a Hollywood prostitute, and wealthy businessman Edward Lewis, who hires Vivian for the week as his escort to social events.
- Their “business arrangement” quickly turns to romance as they get to know each other and let their guards down. This act features the fan favorite songs like “You’re Beautiful” and “Freedom”.
- Act 2 sees their relationship tested. Edward takes Vivian to the opera in an effort to bring her into his elite social circle, but it backfires. The couple splits up and must figure out how to overcome their differences in class and lifestyle to be together.
- The musical maintains the story’s Cinderella theme and tracks the evolution of Vivian and Edward’s relationship. The major plot points carry over from film, like the iconic shopping spree scene on Rodeo Drive.
- The ending is an upbeat happy ending as in the film. The musical emphasizes the transformative power of love between these two different worlds.
The main difference from film is condensing the timeline – the musical compresses the story into a shorter timeframe, with act 1 taking place over a couple days rather than a full week. Otherwise the musical remains faithful to the characters and journey of the film.
Musical Numbers
The Pretty Woman musical contains about 20 musical numbers. Some are reprised/revisited throughout the show. Here are some highlights:
- “Welcome to Hollywood” – Opening number introducing Hollywood and Vivian
- “Don’t Forget to Dance” – Vivian reflects on her outlook on life
- “You’re Beautiful” – Edward sings this powerful ballad to Vivian
- “Freedom” – Vivian’s solo as she weighs her options
- “You and I” – Duet as Vivian and Edward acknowledge their growing bond
- “Rodeo Drive” – Big ensemble dance number during shopping spree
- “Never Give Up On a Dream” – Vivian’s 11 o’clock solo ballad
- “Together Forever” – Edward and Vivian decide to be together
- “I Can’t Go Back” – Finale reflecting how they’ve changed each other
The soundtrack combines pop, rock, country, and musical theatre styles. The songs propel the story forward and provide insight into the main characters. Many numbers also showcase lively choreography and dance breaks.
Set Design
The set design for the musical helps bring the glitz and glamour of 1990s Hollywood to life on stage:
- The set uses projection screens to establish different Los Angeles locations like Rodeo Drive, the Hollywood Hills, and the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
- Vivian’s modest Hollywood apartment converts into Edward’s posh hotel penthouse through set changes.
- Backdrops of the LA skyline and moving video projections immerse the audience.
- Elaborate lighting effects include the “opera” scene with hundreds of lights strategically placed to resemble the night sky.
- The hotel rooms and Rodeo Drive shops strike an elegant tone with touches of gold and pink.
The set supports scene transitions that need to happen quickly in order to keep the musical moving briskly. The design team makes smart use of the space to spin different locales throughout the show. The lighting and projections contribute to the glamorous aesthetic.
Costume Design
The costume design is also essential in bringing the late 80s/early 90s setting vividly to life:
- Vivian’s “working girl” outfits early in act 1 are revealing and brightly colored.
- Her Rodeo Drive shopping spree looks include the iconic red dress and red opera gloves.
- Edward’s businessman attire evolves from very corporate to more relaxed.
- Kit’s apparel as Vivian’s friend showcases 80s/90s trends.
- The hotel staff, opera attendees, and shoppers wear period clothing.
Vivian’s Cinderella-esque transformation is emphasized through her costumes. The designs are instrumental in making the musical feel fresh and current while maintaining its throwback vibes.
Orchestra
The Pretty Woman musical utilizes a modestly sized live orchestra to bring the show to life:
- The orchestra has approximately 14-16 members.
- Instruments covered include strings, woodwinds, brass, keyboards, guitar, bass, and percussion.
- The orchestra performs in a sunken pit in front of the stage.
- They accompany the singing and dancing live during each performance.
- The music spans rock, pop, blues, jazz, and traditional musical theatre styles.
- Orchestra members are world-class musicians, specially selected for touring productions.
Having a live band helps make the performance sound bright, robust and expertly executed. The music enhances the storytelling and provides a thrilling energy throughout the show. The musicians bring Bryan Adams’ catchy pop score vibrantly to life.
Tour Schedule
The North American tour launched in Providence, Rhode Island in October 2020. It has visited major markets across the United States and Canada. Some upcoming scheduled tour stops for Pretty Woman the musical are:
City | Venue | Dates |
---|---|---|
Edmonton, AB | Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium | Oct 18-23, 2022 |
Saskatoon, SK | TCU Place | Oct 25-30, 2022 |
Apple Valley, MN | Dakota Valley Performing Arts Center | Nov 1-6, 2022 |
Peoria, IL | Peoria Civic Center Theater | Nov 8-13, 2022 |
The tour is currently scheduled through Summer 2023, with additional stops being added periodically. Each tour stop generally runs for 1-2 weeks with 8 shows per week. The show has been well received across North America so far, with many cities selling out their limited engagement runs quickly.
Audience Reactions
Reviews from audiences indicate the musical is succeeding in bringing the magic of Pretty Woman to the stage:
- Fans of the movie say the musical captures the romantic spirit and excitement.
- The musical numbers and choreography earn consistent praise.
- Viewers love seeing Vivian and Edward’s iconic story play out live.
- Performances by the tour leads playing Vivian and Edward generate acclaim.
- Production values like sets, costumes and lighting receive enthusiastic reviews.
- Some say the music exceeds expectations given the film didn’t have a musical score.
While it’s hard to match the star power of Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, the stage production succeeds through the performances, music and dazzling theatricality. The musical manages to meet high expectations from fans of the film.
Accolades
In addition to strong audience reception, Pretty Woman: The Musical has earned some notable accolades:
- The Broadway production was nominated for 3 Tony awards in 2018, including Best Musical.
- The musical won a Drama League Award for Distinguished Production of a Musical in 2018.
- Samantha Barks earned a Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performance for playing Vivian.
- Jerry Mitchell received an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Best Choreography.
- The cast album rose to #1 on Billboard’s Cast Albums chart.
While not as extensively awarded as some other recent Broadway musicals, Pretty Woman has received recognition that reflects its popularity and impact as a feel-good romantic crowd-pleaser.
Conclusion
The stage musical adaptation brings the timeless Cinderella love story of Pretty Woman to life through great music, entertaining dance, dazzling production values, and the charm of relatable lead characters. The approximately 2 hour 30 minute production faithfully retains the magic of the beloved film through strong performances, visual spectacle, and a soundtrack of catchy pop hits. Audiences around North America have been enjoying the opportunity to experience this romantic fairytale live during the touring production’s multi-year run.