Local theatre fans, it’s time to fall in love again – with a classic ‘90s story (the famous film starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere), brilliant music (from rock superstar Bryan Adams and his longtime songwriting partner Jim Vallance, as well as the title track “Oh, Pretty Woman”, the hit by Roy Orbison and Bill Dee) and the phenomenal cast of fresh South African talent bringing Pretty Woman: The Musical to the stage at Montecasino’s Teatro from 24 April.
Starring as Vivian Ward is the brilliant Leah Mari, who made her professional debut as the alternate ‘Maria’ in The Sound Of Music 2023/24 and won the Fleur du Cap Theatre Award for “Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Musical” for playing Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady 2024/25. Most recently Leah played the role of Kitty in CHICAGO The Musical. As the suave Edward Lewis, the versatile Christopher Jaftha, who recently starred as Potiphar, Jacob and Pharaoh in Joseph and the Improbable Technicolour Dreamcoat. His other stage credits includeAfrican Footprint, Aladdin and West Side Storyand was recently nominated as NFTA Best Actor for his work in the film Khaki Fever.
Kit De Luca, Vivian’s best friend, will be played by Thuto Lesedi Gaasenwe (For Coloured Girls, The Jungle Book, A Place of Knowing), with Tiaan Rautenbach (We Will Rock You, MAMMA MIA!, The Addams Family: The Musical) starring as Happy Man, the hotel manager. Daniel Conradie (Joseph and the Unbelievable Technicolour Dreamcoat, My Fair Lady, Hairspray) plays Edward’s lawyer Philip Stuckey.
The ensemble is packed with talent. Look out for Bo Molefe (Showtime Australia’s The Michael Jackson HIStory Show, Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast); Bradley Smith (MAMMA MIA!, Beauty and the Beast, Joseph and the Unbelievable Technicolour Dreamcoat); Stuart Brown (We Will Rock You, MAMMA MIA!, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) and Bella Smith (Meatloaf: The Rebel Ride, Once Upon A Time); Sandi Dlangalala (Hlakanyana TheMusical, My Fair Lady, Peter Pan); Dylan Du Plessis (Joseph and the Incredible Technicolor Dreamcoat, Adventures in Pantoland, Beauty and the Beast), Liyabuya Gongo (Thirst, Workers Chant, Swan Lake); Michelle Juncker (Noises Off, Joseph and the Incredible Technicolor Dreamcoat, Beyond); Virtuous Kandemiri (The Buddy Holly Story, 1999: The Ultimate Prince Experience, The Jungle Book); Yethu Kibi (Heathers, Joseph and the Incredible Technicolour Dreamcoat, Pippin); James Mc Phail (A Chorus Line, Fiddler on the Roof, Love! Valour! Compassion!); Danny Meaker (Hamlet, Othello, Alice in Wonderland); Chichi Nwoha (Cinderella Jr, Sarafina!, Chicago The Musical); Jordan Rogers (Beauty and the Beast, Pinocchio); Lesego van Niekerk (African Footprint, West Side Story, CHICAGO the Musical); Gugu Dhlamini (Jack and The Beanstalk, Alice in Wonderland, Disney’s The Magic Box), Yahto Kraft (Meat Loaf: The Rebel Ride, The Addams Family: The Musical, Malo and The Moon Maiden); Jonathan Raath (West Side Story, Matilda The Musical, CHICAGO The Musical) and Ashley Scott (The Sound of Music, Disney’s The Magic Box, CHICAGO The Musical).
The over 50 all-South African company includes the 24-member cast, 6-piece band, crew and creative team. Pretty Woman: The Musical is produced by Showtime Management in association with Crossroads Live North America. The combined South African and international creative team includes Rusty Mowery (Associate Director and Associate Choreographer) and Will van Dyke (Musical Supervisor) from New York, working with South African’s Resident Director and Choreographer, Darren Greeff supported by Assistant Resident Director, Brett De Groot and Assistant Resident Choreographer, Alexandra Girard. Musical Director, Daniel Geddes will lead the band, assisted by Assistant Musical Director, Luigia Cassaleggio. Alistair Kilbee of GearhouseSplitbeam is Pretty Woman: The Musical’s Technical Director and Peter Taylor is the Company Manager.
Pretty Woman: The Musical premiered on Broadway in 2018 and has also enjoyed acclaimed runs in the West End and tours across North America and Europe. The show and its story of the unlikely romance of the rough-edged Vivian and refined businessman Edward is uplifting and fully of joy, combining love, laughter, nostalgia and chart-topping songs to make each performance an enjoyable trip down memory lane.
The show features a book by Garry Marshalland J. F. Lawton, the creators of the original Pretty Woman film; songs by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance and direction and choreography by Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell.
“We’re so proud to be able to produce the debut South African run of this wonderful modern musical, and to do so with an all-South African cast, crew and band,” says Hazel Feldman of Showtime Management. “The story will take audiences back to the classic film, and they’ll also fall in love with the fantastic music and the amazing performances of our actors, singers and dancers.”
Owing to strong adult themes, this production has a PG rating of 12+. Parental guidance is advised. Terrific Tuesday discounts available. Ts and Cs apply. A 20% block booking discount is offered on groups of 20+ on selected shows for specific price categories.
The first performance of the original musical King Kong: 1959 – A landmark South African musical that travelled to London’s West End and launched the careers of many black artists, a major cultural milestone.
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