Music Theatre International has announced that “Pretty Woman: The Musical” is now available for licensing worldwide, with the exception of the United Kingdom and subject to certain international or regional restrictions. The theatrical licensor is making the musical available to professional, community and educational theaters across its global roster.
The Broadway production of “Pretty Woman: The Musical” began previews at the Nederlander Theatre on July 20, 2018, opened on Aug. 16 and concluded a year later on Aug. 18, 2019. The musical has since appeared on a North American national tour and outside the U.S. in markets such as London’s West End.
Based on the romantic comedy film that starred Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, the stage adaptation is set in late 1980s Hollywood. The story centers on the unexpected relationship between sex worker Vivian Ward and driven business executive Edward Lewis. The original film was directed by Garry Marshall and written by J.F. Lawton.
Though Marshall passed away in 2016, he worked on the musical prior to his death. For the stage adaptation, Marshall and Lawton co-wrote the book. “Pretty Woman: The Musical” features an original score with music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Bryan Adams and his longtime songwriting partner Jim Vallance.
Directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell, the Broadway production starred Samantha Barks as Vivian and Andy Karl as Edward.
“We are incredibly excited to make ‘Pretty Woman’ available for licensing, and deliver this modern-day, romantic comedy to stages everywhere,” said Drew Cohen, MTI’s president and CEO, in a statement. “In adapting the classic film for its hit Broadway run, authors J.F. Lawton and Garry Marshall have delivered a script that is funny, moving and — perhaps most important — updated to reflect today’s sensibilities, all while staying true to the heart of the beloved movie that J.F. created. Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance’s energetic and original score offers great songs for each of the key characters and has audiences dancing in their seats every night.”
“When I wrote the original screenplay for ‘Pretty Woman,’ I never imagined that Vivian Ward’s story would still be resonating with audiences more than three decades later,” added Lawton. “Bringing her journey to the stage alongside Garry Marshall was one of the greatest creative adventures of my life, and hearing Bryan and Jim’s extraordinary songs breathe new life into these characters we loved so much was something truly special. Now, knowing that theaters around the world will have the chance to tell this story in their own communities, for their own audiences, feels like the most wonderful next chapter.”
Licensing information about “Pretty Woman: The Musical” can be found here.
