Cape Town theatre fans excited ahead of Broadway musical’s SA stage debut
The waiting is almost over: PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical opens at Artscape, Cape Town on 18 March! The classic ‘90s story (who can forget the famous film starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere) that premiered as a stage musical on Broadway in 2018 and has also enjoyed acclaimed runs in the West End and tours across North America and Europe. Now it’s South Africa’s turn, with the national premiere almost here and tickets selling fast for the Cape Town run, which ends on April 19. Get your tickets now at showtime.co.za or ticketmaster.co.za.
PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical’s remarkable all-South African cast as well as the show’s producer and promoter Showtime Management are well represented in the recently released nominations for the Naledi Theatre Awards. Three of the show’s leads are nominated for their work in other productions, with Leah Mari, who stars as the vivacious Vivian Ward, receiving a nod in the Best Lead Performance In A Musical Theatre Production: Female category for her role in My Fair Lady; Christopher Jaftha, who plays the dashing Edward Lewis, is on the shortlist for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical Theatre Production and Daniel Conradie who plays the sleezy Philip Stuckey is nominated in the Best Breakthrough Performance in a Musical Theatre Production. Showtime’s most recent two musicals, also did spectacularly well. Dear Evan Hansen (another South African stage debut), received eight nominations in total, among them Best Production Of A Musical and Best Theatre Set And AV Design; while the revival of the popular CHICAGO The Musical was rewarded with five nominations, among them Best Production of a Musical and Best Ensemble in a Musical Theatre Production.
All this local excellence is supplemented and supported by Pretty Woman: The Musical’s international creatives: Direction and Choreography Re-creator, Rusty Mowery and Music Supervisor, Arranger and Orchestrations, Will van Dyke. Mowery, who danced in Broadway productions of Hairspray, Cats, Legally Blonde and others, worked as production dance supervisor and associate choreographer on several Broadway and touring shows and recently served as director and choreographer for the Australian premiere of PRETTY WOMAN. Van Dyke is a Grammy nominee who was music director for PRETTY WOMAN on Broadway and most recently served as the music director for the 25th Anniversary revival of MAMMA MIA!, also on Broadway.
Of course, the show’s music, including powerful solos like “Freedom” and “I Can’t Go Back” and showstopping ensemble pieces like “Welcome to Hollywood” and “Together Forever” is another star of the piece, written by rock superstar Bryan Adams and his longtime songwriting partner Jim Vallance. PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical’s book is by Garry Marshall and J. F. Lawton, the creators of the original Pretty Woman film; songs by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance and direction and choreography by Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell. International creative team members working with the South African production are Rusty Mowery (associate director and associate choreographer) and Will van Dyke (musical supervisor). The local creative team comprises of Darren Greeff (Resident Director and Choreographer), Alistair Kilbee (Technical Director), David Classen (Sound Design), Kieran McGregor (Lighting Design) and Musical Director, Daniel Butcher-Geddes.
Pretty Woman: The Musical is the story of the unlikely romance of the rough-edged Vivian and refined businessman Edward. It is uplifting and full of joy, combining love, laughter, nostalgia and toe-tapping songs to make each performance a fun experience down memory lane. Johannesburg fans, look out for the season at Montecasino’s Teatro from 24 April. Tickets are on sale at showtime.co.za or ticketmaster.co.za.
“The wait is almost over and our brilliant company is ready to bring this amazing show to South African audiences,” says Hazel Feldman of Showtime Management. “I’m so excited to see how Cape Town and Johannesburg musical theatre fans will react – it’s going to be so special to watch.”
Remember the special discounted ticket offers. There is the usual “Terrific Tuesday” offer (not valid with any other discount offer), where tickets cost R400.00, R 300,00, R250,00 and R200,00. Group bookings also apply. Bring your family, your colleagues, your sports team, the folks from your pilates class – whoever! A 20% block booking discount is offered on groups of 20+ on selected shows for specific price categories. And now there’s also the “Bring your Bestie “offer, available Wednesdays and Thursdays only: book 4 – 6 tickets for R250 each, unreserved.
PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical is produced by leading local producer and promoter, Showtime Management, in association with Crossroads Live North America. Owing to strong adult themes, this production has a PG rating of 12+. Parental guidance is advised. Terrific Tuesday discounts available. Ts and Cs apply. A 20% block booking discount is offered on groups of 20+ on selected shows for specific price categories. Contact sales@showtime.co.za. To miss PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical would be a mistake. BIG. HUGE. Book today, www.ticketmaster.co.za
