Being in the national tour of Pretty Woman: The Musical is like being part of a family-oriented business for actor Chris Manuel.
“The whole creative and production team is really supportive,” says Manuel, a member of the show’s ensemble and understudy for the lead role of Edward, a rich businessman, as well as Phillip, Edward’s lawyer.
The cast got to meet Garry Marshall’s wife, Barbara, and family who were involved in the production of the musical. Marshall, who passed away in 2016, was the director of the iconic romantic comedy starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, which opened in theaters thirty years ago. Marshall, along with screenwriter J. F. Lawton, wrote the book for Pretty Woman: The Musical.
“Meeting the family was very emotional, and it set the tone for the show,” Manuel says.
When the production played the Garry Marshall Theatre in Burbank, California, the cast and crew hosted a dinner and Marshall’s wife was in attendance.
“It makes you feel like you are a part of something rather than just being in a show,” Manuel says of the Marshall family’s involvement.
The story of Pretty Woman is as beloved today as it was in 1990 when it was an international smash hit.
“People love seeing the characters come to life on stage,” says Manuel, adding, “We do sing the 1964 song Oh, Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison and Bill Dee in the show (the film was originally based on the song).”
The musical production, playing Altria Theater November 22 through 27, follows the movie very closely. The show revolves around Vivian Ward, a prostitute in Hollywood, and wealthy businessman Edward Lewis who hires Vivian to be his escort while he is in town.
“The play is a condensed/filtered version of the movie. It really works,” says Manuel. “All of the big moments people expect are still in the show. People enjoy that.”
The musical, which features an original score by Grammy winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, does introduce a new character, Happy Man, the narrator of the show. Kyle Taylor Park (KTP), who plays Happy Man, also plays the hotel manager and the store manager.
“He brings something different to each role,” Manuel says.
One of Manuel’s favorite scenes in the musical is the opera scene where Edward takes Vivian to the opera for the first time.
“I like it because of how it’s done as well as the choreography and the song ‘You and I’ that goes with it,” Manuel says. “The song is a soaring ballad. It’s really nice.”
The musical “is well thought out,” Manuel adds. “It’s great. It keeps people entertained.”
Pretty Woman: The Musical opens Tuesday, November 22, and runs through Sunday, November 27, at Altria Theater with eight performances. The show is recommended for guests ages thirteen and up. For showtimes and tickets, go here.
Broadway in Richmond at Altria Theater does not requiring proof of vaccine or a negative test for entry, but the venue does encouraging masks for all patrons, both vaccinated and unvaccinated. Children under two years old will not be admitted to Broadway in Richmond performances.
A limited number of Pretty Woman: The Musical lottery tickets will be made available for each performance. The digital lottery is open for entries the day prior to each performance, from 10 .am. to 2 p.m. Lottery winners will be randomly selected and contacted via email to process their payment; tickets will be available at Will Call for pickup 1hr prior to showtime. Lottery tickets are $25 each. Maximum of two per person. Enter the digital lottery here.
[Feature photo: Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade]
