Unlike some ill-advised remakes (cough, Dirty Dancing, cough), the Pretty Woman musical on Broadway is something we can actually get excited about. Gary Marshall, the director of the film, was heavily involved in the Broadway show before he passed away, so we’re confident that it’s going to be a creative and authentic adaptation. Its fate was up in the air for a while, but the show’s director has confirmed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that they plan to open in the 2018-2019 season. Here’s what we know so far:
- It was written by Garry Marshall and the writer of the original film, J.F. Lawton.
- It will be directed by Jerry Mitchell, of Kinky Boots and Legally Blonde: The Musical fame.
- The score was written by Bryan Adams and Jim Valance: “They’ve written 23 songs for this musical that are rock-driven, beautiful ballads and that have a lot of pep in them,” says director Jerry Mitchell.
- The famous Rodeo Drive scene will have its own musical number. “I knew she was going to have to go back to Rodeo Drive and return to that shop and say, ‘Big mistake. Huge.’ It’s in a song called ‘You’re Beautiful.’ It’s a big number, and she succeeds in a big way,” says Jerry.
- They’re currently casting. Should you be so inclined, the director says his Vivian “needs to be able to sing like a dream, obviously, because it’s a new show and a new score—23 songs and she’s got eight of them, I think. With the role of Vivian, I’m looking for a girl who is vulnerable, and who can share those emotions on stage. Also, comedic timing: It’s going to have a lot of comedy in it. Somebody who’s really funny is going to be important for this part.”
- Word on the street is that the film’s iconic lines (“We both screw people for money,” etc.) will remain in the musical adaptation, as will interpretations of Vivian’s now-famous outfits.
