A “Pretty Woman Walking Down the Street” is headed to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The musical “Pretty Woman,” based on the iconic 1990 movie of the same name is playing in Segerstrom Hall, July 5 -17.
Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade.
Once upon a time in the 1980s, a boy meets a girl. This pretty much sums up the plot of “Pretty Woman.” The Rom/Com musical replicates the 1990 blockbuster film in style, story, and smoldering emotion. The girl is a hooker with a heart of gold; the boy is a wealthy entrepreneur who hires her as an escort for professional purposes. It’s a Cinderella fairytale in which star-crossed lovers following their hearts, change their lives.
Audiences will fall in love all over again with “Pretty Woman” and its stars Oliva Valli, playful and charming in the role of Vivian Ward and Adam Pascal whose lush musical tone compliments his role as Edward Lewis. The pair radiates star power, the choreography is lively, and the large ensemble is exciting.
Adam Pascal’s claim to Broadway fame was his breakout role as Roger in “Rent.” This led to a long career in theater, and television through he has a background based on making music. Pascal, a musician and actor, believes his greatest strength is his singing voice. He says “That’s what has been the dominant aspect of my career and what I’m known for. To a certain degree, I think it’s my voice that is so well suited to this Musical. The music definitely sits in my sweet spot. If there’s anything in particular that makes me uniquely cut out for this role, then it would be my voice.”
Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade.
“Pretty Woman” Director and Choreographer Jerry Mitchell agreed, saying “Pascal’s voice is an incredible match to the romantic rock score. Bryan Adams score has a feel of late ’80’s and early ‘90’s rock which makes Adam Pascal pitch perfect for the part.”
Pascal was drawn to “Pretty Woman” because in his words, “The musical is a really beautiful, classic love story. I found that appealing. Obliviously, the film was a huge success, so it gave me an opportunity to play a character known from films and to do something different to make it my own.”
And yes, Pascal puts his own spin on the role of Edward Lewis, well-heeled businessman. He says “to be honest, I’m not the type of actor who grew up traditionally trained so my approach to playing Edward is a little different. So, to be Edward, I put on the costume and just become the guy. I don’t consciously step on a stage and think I’m a different person. I see the characters as people who exist within their own circumstances, and I insert myself into those circumstances. I put on the clothes/costumes and become them. It makes me honest and genuine in my part and into relating to my fellow characters.”
Pascal, the musician, doesn’t usually dress in high-end men’s wear but says “It’s great even though I’m not someone who usually wears suits. Actually, I try to avoid them in my personal life, so it took a little getting used to. The suits I wear in the show are props in and of themselves. I’m constantly fussing with clothes, taking jackets and ties off or rolling up the sleeves. Dressing in these suits has meaning and purpose. They are not just costumes; they are very important in revealing who Edward is.”
Rising star Oliva Villi plays opposite Pascal. As Vivian Ward, she is a charming, charismatic ‘lady of the night.’ The two stars shine bright separately and together as romantic leads the chemistry works. The sparks ignite between debonair, conventional Edward and the pretty prostitute, Vivian.
Pascal says “Olivia and I couldn’t have a better friendship and the chemistry is there. This is what makes this production so successful. We have become good friends, we have such a good time and we take that to the stage with us. Olivia and I have found something special with each other. That really sets the tone for the show.”
Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade.
In Pretty Woman the entire show, script, setting, and costumes are reminiscent of the film. Expect to hum along to Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman,” because that is the only tune in the musical that was on the films soundtrack. The musicals’ songs are all new, all cool. Pascal explains “The movie was very 80’s specific so it wasn’t necessary to change place or setting. It belongs in the era in which it was created.”
He continues “Music works differently in musicals. In the movie the songs are there for atmospheric purposes and to set the tone, they don’t move the story along. Bryan Adams and Jim Valance wrote “Pretty Woman’s” songs in a specifically narrative way to tell the story, move it forward and to address specific moments.”
One of those very specific moments is the Opera scene; a favorite of Pascal’s which he describes as the “Wow” instant in “Pretty Woman.” He says “the scene in which Edward takes Vivian to the Opera to see La Traviata is so expertly crafted that it is the highlight of the show. Within the scene is a song called ‘You & I’ that Edward sings to Vivian while the Opera is going on. It’s interspersed into the actual opera itself and it segues in and out of the song that I’m singing.”
Love and Fairytale fun are the keys to why audiences are giving standing ovations to a girl in the world’s oldest profession and a boy who just wants to make a buck. It balances a fine line between prostitute and woman needing saving, as Happy Man sings “Damsel in distress or hero on a quest? You decide.”
‘The classic Fairytale love story doesn’t need a message,” says Pascal, it’s just about audiences laughing with pleasure. It’s a wonderful night of entertainment for fans of musical theater and its familiar fun for fans of the movie. People are ready to get back to the theater and just be normal.”
Fall in love all over again, “Pretty Woman” is at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts July 5 -17. For tickets, go online to SCFTA.org or call 714-556-2787. Box Office (600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa) Hours: Monday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, Noon to 5p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.