“Pretty Woman: The Musical" at the Adler Theatre -- February 12.
Wednesday, February 12, 8 p.m.
Adler Theatre, 136 East Third Street, Davenport IA
With the touring sensation boasting an original score by Grammy Award winners Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance and a book by screenwriter J.F. Lawton and legendary director Garry Marshall, Pretty Woman: The Musical makes its area debut at Davenport's Adler Theatre on February 12, this song-filled adaptation of the smash film comedy recreating one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic tales of all time.
Marshall's 1990 hit renowned for making Julia Roberts a mega-star, Pretty Woman is a modern retelling of the Cinderella story. Vivian, a Hollywood prostitute, is picked up on the street by Edward Lewis (played in the film by Richard Gere), a tough but lonely business mogul. Employed as his companion, Vivian is immersed into the elite Beverly Hills society, but she soon realizes that she's a fish out of water. She wants to make something of her life, but she must be true to herself along the way. During a week of romance, both Vivian and Edward embark on journeys of self-discovery, and find true love along the way. Edward is softened and transformed by Vivian’s love of life, and he comes to realize that he must change his priorities if he wants to hold on to what matters most. Can Edward's and Vivian’s love transcend social divides, and will this independent Cinderella finally get her Prince?
The musical's New York production directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell, Pretty Woman: The Musical made its world premiere at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago on March 13, 2018 for a limited five-week run. Following that engagement, the show transferred to Broadway at the Nederlander Theatre beginning previews on July 20, 2018, before its official opening on August 16, 2018. The cast for the Chicago and Broadway productions featured Samantha Barks, in her Broadway debut, as Vivian Ward, Tony winner Steve Kazee (and his eventual replacement Andy Karl) as Edward Lewis, and Tony nominee Orfeh as Kit De Luca.
At the August 2, 2018 preview, the performance was dedicated to Garry Marshall (who died in 2016), and was attended by Marshall's family and the original Vivian Julia Roberts; a seat in the Nederlander Theatre was also dedicated in his honor. The musical broke the Nederlander Theatre box office record for an eight-performance week before its official opening August 16 with a gross of $1,142,989 (83.72% percent of its potential). On July 9, 2019, Wesley Orbison and Alex Orbison joined the cast on stage to perform "Oh, Pretty Woman" to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the song's release and to pay tribute to their late father Roy Orbison. The production finally closed on August 18, 2019, after 27 previews and 420 regular performances.
The touring production of Pretty Woman: The Musical lands in Davenport on February 12, admission to the 8 p.m. performance is $48-88, and tickets are available by calling (800)745-3000 and visiting DavenportLive.com/the-adler-theatre.
