Posted: 1/16/18 at 9:45pm
https://nypost.com/2018/01/16/pretty-woman-hooker-gets-a-feminist-twist-on-broadway/
Couldn't they just leave well enough alone?
Posted: 1/16/18 at 10:00pm
Posted: 1/16/18 at 10:10pm
I can already hear the groans: “...but the movie was so much better.”
Updated On: 1/16/18 at 10:10 PM
Posted: 1/16/18 at 10:11pm
This is shaping up very well to be the first flop of the 2018-2019 season.
Posted: 1/16/18 at 10:24pm
J.F. Lawton will have to thread more than one needle. I don't envy him with what might be an impossible task given the story's premise in today's world. Then there is the not trivial matter of the quality of the lyrics and score. Lots of threading required there, too.
Posted: 1/17/18 at 7:58am
My best friend is a super-high-price escort to the stars, and she's talked to me repeatedly about the balance between being a feminist and being a sex worker; while I think there's a show there, I'm not sure it's "Pretty Woman."
Posted: 1/17/18 at 9:16am
Because that, in itself, has no real bearing on the plot. It really doesn't matter if she's older - after all, even in the film, she's the one that took Vivian in and showed her the ropes.
As to the changes, I applaud the attempt. I find watching the film now is pretty cringe-worthy with its old fashioned tone - being nothing without a man. I do think they are only expanding on what DOES exist in the film. Vivian is more headstrong, more responsible than Kit, not involved in drugs, etc. Also, when he offers to set her up as a "kept woman", she turns him down and makes plans on her own future. If they can pull more of that out of her, I welcome the changes.
That being said, I'm not terribly keen on seeing this, but it might have moved a notch or two up the ladder with this info. (Maybe.)
Posted: 1/17/18 at 9:53am
...the change they should've made is to have hired, y'know, at least one woman for the creative team.
Posted: 1/17/18 at 9:56am
Kad said: "...the change they should've made is to havehired, y'know, at least one woman for the creative team."
Accurate. Jesus Christ! (said in Diana Morales voice)
Posted: 1/17/18 at 10:06am
How nice, another score by songwriters with no theatre experience at all. I wonder if they'll find a Glen Kelly or a Stephen Oremus to try to turn their garage band ditties into something theatrical? (I did very much enjoy the Adams/Vallance songs of the 80s - as nondramatic pop tunes.)
Posted: 1/17/18 at 10:20am
Posted: 1/17/18 at 10:33am
Posted: 1/17/18 at 10:46am
Based on familiarity with the Adams/Vallance songbook, I can see the leading lady's 11:00 number as such (imagine very loud volume and very high notes):
I'm a Pretty Woman
I'm a Pretty Woman
I'm a Pretty Woman, Pretty Woman, Pretty Woman
And I don't need no man
(No man, no man)
Posted: 1/17/18 at 10:56am
darquegk said: "My best friend is a super-high-price escort to the stars, and she's talked to me repeatedly about the balance between being a feminist and being a sex worker; while I think there's a show there, I'm not sure it's "Pretty Woman.""
Couldn't agree with this more.
Posted: 1/17/18 at 11:03am
It's just crazy that PRETTY WOMAN is costing $15 million -- does it even have an advance yet? Are people buying tickets?? I just looked at a random Friday on TICKETMASTER and there were hundreds available ...
Posted: 1/17/18 at 11:16am
Kad said: "...the change they should've made is to havehired, y'know, at least one woman for the creative team.
"
Excellent point indeed. But of course, men know everything.
And if it has sold ANY tickets, it has an advance. They don't determine budget based on an advance as they don't have those funds....and won't for quite some time.
Posted: 1/17/18 at 11:44am
The success of the film had little (or nothing) to do with the story, direction, etc., but rather with the appeal of Julia Roberts at that time. Had it been cast differently, I doubt it would have had the same appeal for audiences.
The most memorable scene in the movie is Geer/Roberts' scene when he gives her the jewelry and snaps the jewelry box at her hand. Roberts appeal is that combination of vulnerability/naivete, yet still demonstrating intelligence and (in many of her other movies) courage.
Roberts' performance didn't demonstrate a woman who needed a man, but rather a woman who (underneath it all) was in charge of her choices, and CHOSE to be with a man - which is very different. Roberts' specific performance shouldn't be undervalued regarding why the movie was successful.
Since it would be nearly impossible to find an actress who could recapture what Roberts brought to the movie, a new version would HAVE to change the character elements for a better chance at success.
Updated On: 1/17/18 at 11:44 AM
Posted: 1/17/18 at 2:08pm
dramamama611 said: "And if it has sold ANY tickets, it has an advance. They don't determine budget based on an advance as they don't have those funds....and won't for quite some time."
Just crazy to see another $15 million+ show head to BROADWAY with not many tickets sold thus far -- reminds me a bit of GROUNDHOG DAY tbh!!
I'm sure BRYAN ADAMS will be visiting the show multiple times to try to get the fans in seats ... Oof...
Posted: 1/17/18 at 8:58pm
Skimbleshanks2 said: "dramamama611 said: "And if it has sold ANY tickets, it has an advance. They don't determine budget based on an advance as they don't have those funds....and won't for quite some time."
Just crazy to see another $15 million+ show head to BROADWAY with not many tickets sold thus far -- reminds me a bit of GROUNDHOG DAY tbh!!
I'm sure BRYAN ADAMS will be visiting the show multiple times to try to get the fans in seats ... Oof..."
You forget that the show is opening in August which is eight months away. The advance will grow once it opens in Chicago and the reviews are out. I suggest you go to the shows tryout page and see the ticket sells for Chicago.
Posted: 1/17/18 at 9:14pm
In hindsight, the movie is completely disgusting. Of course as a teen, I loved it. As an adult, it's a heinous construct. If there was a ever a wrong time for this show, it's now, in the #metoo era. Will the audience be asked to stand up and dance at curtain to "Pretty Woman" and celebrate that a prostitute was saved. I can't even muster any enthusiasm for this. The fact that this masturbatory fantasia was written by white male (go figure) is even more vile.
Posted: 1/17/18 at 9:24pm
I agree with Bettyboy. Whether she turns out to be a feminist or not, the show is still about prostitution. Many a show has failed because its basic plot does not appeal to a wide-ranging audience. I get the sense that this show will have a fairly limited appeal.
Posted: 1/17/18 at 9:58pm
Sweet Charity worked for among many, many reasons a great score and a sad ending. My best advice: No jokes.
Posted: 1/18/18 at 5:44am
Dallas Theatre Fan said: "Skimbleshanks2 said: "dramamama611 said: "And if it has sold ANY tickets, it has an advance. They don't determine budget based on an advance as they don't have those funds....and won't for quite some time."
Just crazy to see another $15 million+ show head to BROADWAY with not many tickets sold thus far -- reminds me a bit of GROUNDHOG DAY tbh!!
I'm sure BRYAN ADAMS will be visiting the show multiple times to try to get the fans in seats ... Oof..."
You forget that the show is opening in August which is eight months away. The advance will grow once it opens in Chicago and the reviews are out. I suggest you go to the shows tryout page and see the ticket sells for Chicago."
I made the same observations about GROUNDHOG DAY last year and everyone said I was overreacting. And that show closed faster than ROCKY...
It’s a telling sign when tickets aren’t selling already... Just sayin’ ... but doubt at your own peril ...
Posted: 1/18/18 at 6:21am
Kad said: "...the change they should've made is to havehired, y'know, at least one woman for the creative team.
"
I know they might as well call it “mansplaining” the musical
Posted: 1/18/18 at 7:34am
.jpg?format=auto&width=365)
