“Pretty Woman: The Musical” ultimately lives up to the iconic film

It’s a tricky task, bringing a beloved movie to the live stage. You have to stay true enough to the story and characters, but somehow also make it your own. A lot of that falls on the individual company’s production. In the case of the national tour of Pretty Woman: The Musical the company successfully navigated that fine line. 

In all honesty, the opening number was a bit kitschy, and I hoped that the Hollywood variety angle was going to be at most quirky and not cringe. However, as soon as Ellie Baker and Rae Davenport came out as Vivian Ward and Kit De Luca, respectively, all worries were eased. Theatrical expression always creates a more exaggerated version of characters in a movie to live theater adaptations. And that being said, Baker makes it work in her favor, bringing even more youthful spirit to the character than Julia Roberts, making Vivian even more endearing. It’s exactly the quality Edward is referring to when he sings “Something About Her.”

It’s songs like “Something About Her” and “Freedom” that allow for a more vulnerable and heartfelt portrayal of Edward than in the movie. The music in this show offers a look inside Edward’s thoughts and feelings, something not as easily accessible to the audience in the 1990 hit feature. Chase Wolfe is captivating in his role on stage as the secretly sensitive businessman Edward Lewis, a perfect balance of lovestruck and reserved. Solo ballads like “Freedom” stand out against the backdrop of upbeat dance-pop ensemble numbers, allowing Wolfe to show off his strong vocals.

Like Vivian and Edward’s love story, the progression was slow in the first act, but after intermission it was clear–the company had won the audience over. The chemistry between Baker and Wolfe made for steamy yet swoon-worthy intimate scenes. Their tension could be felt to the last row of the historic Landmark Theatre. The two perfectly captured the essence of Vivian and Edward–the banter, the push and pull, and the kind of romance you don’t see coming until it smacks you in the face. But somehow, they took it a step further, transforming the classic romantic comedy into a fairytale that rivals those in its category.

My one qualm with the show was the song “Never Give Up on a Dream,” which is inconveniently placed in the middle of the second act, breaking the momentum of the main plot line and romance between Vivian and Edward. The song felt a bit cliché and placed haphazardly into the show. But given it was mainly sung by the incredibly talented Rae Davenport as Kit, I still enjoyed listening as Davenport flexed her vocal range.

At the end of the day, if you enjoy musical theater and a great love story, then you will not regret going to see this show while it is in town now through Saturday, March 23rd at the Landmark Theatre. Fans of Pretty Woman the movie will also not be disappointed. This national tour performance of Pretty Woman: The Musical is funny and upbeat and an overall good time. The company and its actors pull you in, giving this traveling Broadway show the intimate feel of a local production. So take this as notice, you will grow attached to them by the end of the show, clapping and dancing along to “Pretty Woman” as Edward dips Vivan for one last kiss before the curtains close.