Review: Chasing Shopworn Dreams in ‘Pretty Woman: The Musical’

Julia Roberts is a very talented and skilled actor whose role in the movie Pretty Woman is timeless. Everybody knows that. Why does Brantley systematically embarrass the genre he is paid to criticize by writing a torch song review of a movie actor's performance in a movie. Stick to the theatre. Mixing genre is just as bad as mixing metaphors. Perhaps Mr. Brantley could have fit Julia Child into his review as well.

A musical fantasy about a billionaire falling for a hooker? Sounds like a perfect fit for the Trump era. In fact, wretchedly perfect. Out of date? Who you kidding?

Okay, New York Times. Never saw the movie. Never saw the musical. Have no plans to sit down and watch either. But I'm getting on in years. I love to vent. And so. . . . . . .I propose to vent. By quoting the opening lines of a well-known Burt Baccarat song: "What the world--needs now--is love--sweet love. . ." I want to run out into the street and scream it to a passing Jaguar. "You won't find anything approximating love. . . . . . . .when you're PAYING for it." The hooker with the heart of gold. An old chestnut. Goes back to the Greeks and the Romans. The notion that I--a well-heeled guy with a wandering eye--am gonna find love. By PAYING for it. I'm gonna find that that magic dame--that "pretty woman"--who's gonna love me BACK, who's gonna LIBERATE me, who's gonna free me from age-old inhibitions and weird complexes and the Lord knows what all. . . . . ..and lead me by the hand into some promised land of spiritual fulfillment and physical satisfaction. . . . . It amazes me--that such a cockeyed notion would find favor among WOMEN of all people. But there it is. I'm old. And I'm a crank. "If you'll excuse the expression I use "I'm in love. .I'm in love. . .I'm in love. . .I'm in love. . . "I'm in love with a wonderful guy" Well, that guy in "South Pacific" had his faults. . . . . ..but he wasn't BUYING a few moments of romantic bliss. Here endeth the lesson. Thanks for listening to me. (And I do hope you were.)

I never " got " or liked the movie. Sure, teach teenage girls to be hookers and boys to buy hookers. Now that's entertainment. NOT.

When I first saw the ads for this musical I told a friend who I knew liked the movie. She was all excited and I thought I would treat her in the fall during my annual trip to NYC and then, after seeing the prices I decided to wait for the reviews. First I read the ones for the previews in Chicago. A bit of an eye opener. Now that it has opened on Broadway I have no interest in wasting neither time nor money on this. I totally agree with Mr. Brantley that this is "an essentially tawdry tale" which always made me uncomfortable with its basic theme. The movie story line could have been transformed into something surprising and contemporary but those who love the movie would be disappointed and feel cheated. When asked to spend way north of $150 to see theater these past few years I have preferred to take risks on something new such as Book of Mormon, Oslo and The Band's Visit - three shows that I still marvel at for their creativity and originality and would gladly see again.

That's certainly a shame, but I do think you rate Roberts a little too highly. Yeah, she has a charming laugh. That's the only redeeming thing about her as an actress.

Our group thoroughly enjoyed the show, the performances, and the faithfulness to the movie. The three principals were excellent. After reading BB's review, our friend wrote, "This is an unfortunate review. Ben Brantley has been a NY Times theatre critic for 22 years. Just can’t seem to get beyond his early 90’s infatuation with Julia Roberts. Comments about Samantha Barks, Andy Karl and Eric Anderson (concierge/happy man) are downright mean. "The Nederlander announced that Pretty Woman has the highest advance ticket sale of any show in that theatre’s history. Audiences respond to word-of-mouth from friends and family too. Hopefully, a new generation of theatre goers will set aside this critique and find the fun and energy of the show."

I dont have anything to say about the show, yet. However, in the cast section at the bottom of the page, you forgot one of the principal actors, Ezra knight, who plays James Morse.

I enjoyed this production, and the musical numbers written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance. I was a fan of the movie and was surprised at how closely the musical followed the storyline, some of which I had forgotten. My husband and I both enjoyed the music and plan to purchase the CD recording when it is available. We have recommended this production to all our friends because we believe it is worth seeing...and we wouldn't mind seeing it again. Brantley's review and constant reference to Julia Roberts is a bit tiresome, but to each his own.

The idea of making a feel good musical about a prostitute finding her knight in shining armor with a john is not the brightest move.

Ben's snarky reviews are the best! Fun read, will read again.

I saw this show in previews in Chicago and agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Brantley. The storyline was embarrassing and awkward given how society has moved on since 1990 when the film version of “Pretty Woman” appeared. Ms. Barks and Steve Kazee, who preceded Andy Karl, gave it their all but nothing could save them from the banal script or from the bland, indistinguishable songs. I predicted this show would be a very successful turkey attended by tourists for years.

I'm sure the musical is just as tired and wrong-headed as Mr. Brantley suggests, and I join him in bemoaning the cynicism of today's producers who just want to squeeze sky-high ticket costs out of nostalgic tourists by treading over well-worn ground. But do we really need paragraph after paragraph about Julia Roberts in a show that doesn't feature her? Yes, we get it--she originated the role on film and she was effervescent. Most of us have seen the movie. Enough with the star worship.

A fan of Samantha Barks, I saw this show when it was in previews here in Chicago... Correction - I saw half this show. It was so terrible we had to walk out at intermission. Many productions are able to work out their kinks and improve between previews and the Broadway premiere, but Pretty Woman would have needed a complete re-write and an entirely different creative team. I agree with every one of Mr. Brantley's points. While categorized as a musical comedy, this show was pure tragedy; watching the very talented cast try to spin gold out of the dry, bland, unoriginal numbers written by what I can only assume was a half-asleep Bryan Adams. They gamely try to squeeze the last few drops out of dialogue that was sucked dry from two decades of afternoon showings on basic cable, only once or twice able to allow in a glimmer of individuality. (Chicago had a different actor in the role of Edward, Tony Award winner Steve Kazee, who seems to have luckily flown away from this turkey.) It's especially tragic that despite shows like Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen proving that original content can indeed draw in high box office receipts, many producers are intent on churning out phantom copies of films, relying on nostalgia over talent. Let's hope there are still a few impresarios out there willing to bank on talent and quality and reap those rewards - those are the shows for my money!

It seems to me, in the age of Stormy Daniels, this musical was a terrible idea, unless it had the genius of Alan Menken and Rob Marshall behind it. I'm truly surprised it found investors. But I tend to say that about most musicals. If the box office is in fact doing well, then good for them. But given what tickets cost these days, it's difficult to see a long run on this one. The story is so tired and dated, and the movie, seen in re-runs so many times, is also a sleeper now.

In "La Traviata," Violette lives in a time when women had no real employment opportunities outside of wife or prostitute. I can cry for her at the end. She didn't have many choices in her life. Her society did a lot of the choosing for her. The character in "Pretty Woman" I'd just tell very loudly to go out and get a real job. But what's keeping her from doing that? Why is she stuck as a sex worker when employment opportunities for women are increasing? That's where the real story is and that would eventually come up and bite this relationship in the throat one day if they really tried to make it last.

I an tell you that the moment you refer to, the opening/closing of the case and Ms, Robert's reaction was a moment of improvisation. Mr. Marshall gave Mr. Gere the idea. Ms. Roberts did not know it was going to happen. She took it and ran.

Having seen the show the day before opening, I unfortunately have to agree with this review (including the recognition that the talented actors are underserved). I think it's worth noting that in the show's misguided, iron-tight grip on the original script, the character "Happy Man" also originates in the movie, with the quote "Welcome to Hollywood! What's your dream? Everybody comes here; this is Hollywood, land of dreams. Some dreams come true, some don't, but keep on dreamin' - this is Hollywood. Always time to dream, so keep on dreamin'."

I agree with everything stated in this review. I loathe the current trend of unimaginative "adaptations" of famous films that "adapt" nothing, but instead just transfer the screenplay almost verbatim, adding forgettable songs that do nothing more than provide singers a chance to hit high notes. However, I noted (with some sorrow) that there were many in the audience who wanted noting more than to see their favorite moments from the film mimicked on the stage, like some skit from a high school talent show. If the masses want bad writing, I suppose that's what we'll all have to put up with...

This review demonstrates to me why I rarely read a review of a show I intend to see. I and my group greatly enjoyed the show. It was several hours of pure joy with story and music that clicked with people sitting near us. The audience could not have been happier. Along comes Ebenezer Brantley to put a damper on the show. Had I read his review first I would not have purchased my tickets(previews) and would have been deprived of a magic night.Contrary to Brantley I found the Bryan Adams songs wonderful and one week later Im still singing them. I actually will be buying the casr album.