Pretty Woman, Gary Marshall’s version of Cinderella, tells the story of an aloof and self-centered billionaire, Edward Lewis (Adam Pascal), who falls in love with a prostitute, Vivian Ward (Olivia Valli). With a nod to Pygmalion (aka, My Fair Lady) , Marshall has the staff at an exclusive Beverly Hills hotel “polish” Vivian’s rough manner so she can “fit-in” with the Upper Class she’s moving in as Edward’s companion.
The movie version of Pretty Woman (1990), fueled by the star power of Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, was a surprise hit. Of all of Gary Marshall’s 18 movies, Pretty Woman was his biggest success. The movie soundtrack, made up of 1980s songs (see the Track List below), was jettisoned in the musical for songs by Bryan Adams. and Jim Vallance. How much you might enjoy Pretty Woman: The Musical depends on whether you want to listen to 19 Bryan Adams songs in a row with their 1980s sound–electric guitar riffs and bombastic vocal balladry. Just imagine variations of “Summer of 69” sung by a Broadway ensemble and you’ll get the picture.
Additional changes include turning Vivian’s roommate Kit (Jessica Crouch) into a show-stopping diva. Happy Man (Kyle Taylor Parker), who was on-screen in the movie version of Pretty Woman for less than a minute, turns into a narrator/emcee for the musical…and steals every scene that he’s in!
If you’re looking for pure escapism–and are willing to set the bar low–Pretty Woman: The Musical might just entertain you for a couple of hours. Are you a fan of Pretty Woman? GRADE: B
MUSICAL NUMBERS:
| Act I “Welcome to Hollywood” – Happy Man, Kit and Company “Anywhere but Here” – Vivian “Something about Her (Preamble)” – Edward “Welcome to Hollywood (Reprise)” – Happy Man “Something about Her” – Edward “I Could Get Used To This” – Vivian “Luckiest Girl in the World” – Vivian, Kit and Giulio “Rodeo Drive” – Kit and Company “Anywhere but Here” (Reprise) – Vivian “On a Night like Tonight” – Mr. Thompson and Company “Don’t Forget to Dance” – Happy Man, Scarlett and Company “Freedom” – Edward “You’re Beautiful” – Edward, Vivian and Company | Act II “Welcome to Our World (More Champagne)” – Stuckey, Kit and Company “This Is My Life” – Vivian “Never Give Up on a Dream” – Happy Man, Kit and Company “You and I” – Edward, Alfredo, Violetta and Company “I Can’t Go Back” – Vivian”Freedom” (Reprise) – Edward “Long Way Home” – Vivian and Edward “Together Forever” – Edward, Vivian, Happy Man, Kit and Company “Finale/Oh, Pretty Woman” – Edward, Vivian, Kit, Mr. Thompson and Full Company |
TRACK LIST:
- Five for Louie
Written by Karen Hernandez
Performed by Karen Hernandez, Eugene Wright, and Earl Palmer - King of Wishful Thinking
Written by Martin Page, Peter Cox, and Richard Drummie
Performed by Go West
Courtesy of EMI, a divison of Capitol Records, Inc. - Real Wild Child (Wild One)
Written by Johnny O’Keefe, Johnny Greenan, and Dave Owen
Performed by Christopher Otcasek
Courtesy of EMI, a divison of Capitol Records, Inc. - Show Me Your Soul
Written by Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith, and John Frusciante
Performed by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Courtesy of EMI, a division of Capitol Records, Inc. - Fame 90
Written by David Bowie, John Lennon, and Carlos Alomar
Performed by David Bowie
Courtesy of Rykodisc - Life In Detail
Written by Robert Palmer and Allen Powell
Performed by Robert Palmer
Courtesy of EMI, a divison of Capitol Records, Inc. - Tangled
Written by Scott Cutler and Jane Wiedlin
Performed by Jane Wiedlin
Courtesy of EMI, a divison of Capitol Records, Inc. - Kiss
Written by Prince
Performed by Julia Roberts (uncredited) - Wild Women Do
Written by Matthew Wilder, Gregory Prestopino (as Greg Prestopino), and Sam Lorber
Performed by Natalie Cole
Courtesy of EMI, a division of Capitol Records, Inc. - Vivaldi: Autumn (The Four Seasons)
Written by Antonio Vivaldi
As arranged and performed by Charlotte Georg (as Lee Ashley)
Courtesy of Capitol Production Music / Ole Georg - Vivaldi: Spring (The Four Seasons)
Written by Antonio Vivaldi
As arranged and performed by Charlotte Georg (as Lee Ashley)
Courtesy of Capitol Production Music / Ole Georg - Vivaldi: Winter (The Four Seasons)
Written by Antonio Vivaldi
As arranged and performed by Charlotte Georg (as Lee Ashley)
Courtesy of Capitol Production Music / Ole Georg - Richard Gere’s Piano Solo
Written and Performed by Richard Gere - Oh, Pretty Woman
Written by Roy Orbison and Bill Dees (as William Dees)
Performed by Roy Orbison
Courtesy of CBS Special Products, a division of CBS Records, Inc. - Songbird
Written and Performed by Kenny G
Courtesy of Arista Records, Inc. - You Don’t Understand
Written by Clarence Williams, Spencer Williams, and James P. Johnson (as Jimmie Johnson)
Performed by Grand Dominion Jazz Band
Courtesy of Stomp Off Records - One Sweet Letter from You
Written by Harry Warren, Sidney Clare, and Lew Brown
Performed by Grand Dominion Jazz Band
Courtesy of Triangle Jazz Ltd. - Fallen
Written and Performed by Lauren Wood
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products - Selections from La Traviata
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi (uncredited)
Arranged and conducted by Thomas Pasatieri - It Must Have Been Love
Written by Per Gessle
Performed by Roxette
Courtesy of EMI, a division of Capitol Records, Inc.
By Arrangement with EMI Svenska AB - No Explanation
Written by David Foster, Linda Thompson (as Linda Thompson-Jenner),
Bill LaBounty, and Beckie Foster
Performed by Peter Cetera
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc. - She Rescues Him Right Back
Composed by Thomas Pasatieri
Hated the movie. Only in Hollywood does a street prostitute look like Julia Roberts ( who mainly acts with her teeth in the movie ).I can’t imagine going to see this. At least it doesn’t have music by Kenny G or Peter Cetera in it.
Steve, PRETTY WOMAN is based on a fairy-tale so you have to expect something unlikely like Julia Roberts portraying a prostitute with a heart of gold.
I think my post was held up for review because I used the non-slang word for the Roberts character’s job.
Even though Steve did, as well. Go figure.
Todd, WORDPRESS just likes Steve better.
Todd, WORDPRESS enforces all sorts of standards. Cap’n Bob’s comments are always held up for review.
I’m happy with Roy Orbison’s song – will listen to it and the Traveling Wilburys’ music after lunch.
Wolf, great minds think alike! I plan to listen to some Traveling Wilburys today, too!
“How much you might enjoy Pretty Woman: The Musical depends on whether you want to listen to 19 Bryan Adams songs in a row with their 1980s sound–electric guitar riffs and bombastic vocal balladry.”
So—hard pass for me!
Deb, I like Bryan Adams, but 19 of his songs was a bit much for me.
Completely o/t, but all the Kindle Daily Deals today are Agatha Christie books.
Deb, thanks for the heads up! I don’t think I have any Agatha Christie e-books on my iPad. Time to fix that!
I thought the movie was silly but harmless and would never want to see the play. Always liked Julia Roberts though.
Michael, I’m a fan of Julia Roberts, too. PRETTY WOMAN was a surprise hit in 1990, and ironically, Julie Roberts’ “breakout” movie role.
Not for me but it was a star-making role for her apparently.
Patti, Julia Roberts’ career took off like a rocket after PRETTY WOMAN. I really like her in MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING, too.
No, definitely NOT a fan. I don’t mind “Summer of ’69” per se, but a whole show of Bryan Adams songs? Pass.
Also, the weather didn’t do the Bills any favors last night, did it? I knew that field goal was a mistake.
Jeff, the weather conditions were miserable and while the Patriots made adjustments, the Bills did not…and lost. Now their chances of making the Playoffs are 50%.
Jeff, hope you and Jackie have a safe flight back to NYC!
I saw the movie and my reaction was–Julia Roberts isn’t that pretty! The musical sounds like something I can miss easily! My only exposure to Cinderella is the Disney cartoon but I don’t see any resemblance to that and the PW movie!
Don’t blame WORDPRESS for the discrimination of my comments!
Bob, WORDPRESS runs this blog, believe me. I only work here.
That’s a really good one!
Hated the movie. Won’t bother with the play.
Beth, one of Diane’s friends told us that PRETTY WOMAN is her favorite movie of all-Time! I was shocked!
My still-gone comment was that I Have seen professional companions, out in front of hotels (I drove up with my ex and my sister from DC burbs to Boston for a wedding once, and we had a long snag –of course– around NYC…the young woman who could have been wearing only a blazer, or a blazer and microskirt, in front of a “Quality” Inn that apparently was apparently mostly rented by the hour on the outskirts of Boston where we stopped was very conventionally attractive) and in mug shots, who were certainly as attractive as Roberts…but I didn’t think much of Marshall’s film, even with its rumored more realistic abandoned ending, of the pro being abandoned by the rich jerk. So probably wouldn’t enjoy the musical.
Todd, the fairy tale aspects of PRETTY WOMEN produce the popularity of the film…and maybe the musical. But, in Real Life, a self-centered billionaire is more likely to abandon the prostitute he hired rather than to marry her.