Based on the beloved movie, Pretty Woman: The Musical premiered triumphantly in Brisbane on Thursday night.
Vivian (Julia Roberts in the movie) is wonderfully played on stage by Samantha Jade. We first meet her in a grimy part of urban Hollywood where hookers sell services and pimps take their cut.
Vivian and Kit De Luca (Michelle Brasier) share a dive. Their rent is overdue and eviction is imminent. Vivian is determined to earn enough dough to pay the slum landlord. The arrival of Edward (Ben Hall) will solve everything forever. Edward was played by Richard Gere in the original movie.
Initially, I kept comparing the leads to the movie stars who went before them. That however, shifted as the performers made the roles their own and established their own identities.
Samantha Jade is stellar casting. She’s tiny but with a commanding, versatile stage presence and gorgeous vocals. She’s also stunning in every scene, shifting between being vulnerable to strong and seductive. Her rendition of Anywhere But Here is heart wrenching.
Ben Hall is also easy on both the eye and ear. A skilled, experienced performer, he became his own ‘Edward’. Smoothly, via character and voice, he avoided slipping over the edge into a corporate stereotype. He’s definitely an adept businessman but his soft other side is fighting for emergence.
The chemistry between Jade and Hall is simultaneously gentle, fun and fierce. There was real tenderness in their duet, You and I. But the musical is not a two person only show. Many of the supporting players are scene stealers every time they appear.
Michelle Brasier as Kit provides comedic and emotional backbone. Nigerian-born, Tim Omaji as Happy Man/Mr Thompson was seemingly everyone and everywhere. Even appearing on the conductor’s stand to the huge amusement of the audience. A charismatic character and actor, his versatile abilities are obvious.
Most of the cast played multiple roles. I’d like to highlight two standouts in the talented ensemble. Fabian Andres, particularly in the role of wide-eyed usher was wonderful. He stood out as a great dancer and he claimed the character of usher with an endearing charm.
I also applaud Rebecca Gulinello’s performance in the opera scenes alongside the rich tenor voice of Callum Warrender. The power of Rebecca’s soprano voice nearly blew the theatre roof off. In addition, she has a commanding stage presence. I couldn’t take my eyes off her when she appeared in all her operatic glory.
The sets, lighting and costumes are convincingly real. Moving swiftly between the urban streets, a luxurious penthouse suite and Rodeo Drive, all scene changes are fluid. The musical is based on the movie which is based on the book co-written by Garry Marshall and J. F. Lawton. This Cinderella-like story is here to stay.
Pretty Woman: The Musical is a big, productive undertaking. There are numerous creatives credited in the slick, souvenir program. Too many to mention, but I recognise that every one of them is crucial to the big picture. All have contributed to the success of this production and all are to be commended.
This production is slick, clever and versatile. Destined to delight audiences everywhere. As the cast concluded with a rollicking rendition of the song, Pretty Woman, the audience rose to their feet. That standing ovation was well deserved.
Pretty Woman: The Musical
Lyric Theatre – QPAC, Cultural Precinct, South Bank (Brisbane)
Performance: Thursday 9 October 2025
Season continues to 23 November 2025
Bookings: www.qpac.com.au
Following the Brisbane season, Pretty Woman: The Musical will head to the Theatre Royal Sydney from 30 November 2025, Crown Theatre Perth from April 2026, Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide, from May 2026, and Melbourne’s Regent Theatre from July 2026. For more information, visit: www.prettywomanthemusical.com.au for details.
Images: Ben Hall and Samantha Jade in Pretty Woman: The Musical – photo by Daniel Boud | Samantha Jade and Ben Hall in Pretty Woman: The Musical – photo by Daniel Boud | Tim Omaji in Pretty Woman: The Musical – photo by Daniel Boud | The Cast of Pretty Woman: The Musical – photo by Daniel Boud