“You and I are such similar creatures.”
“Pretty Woman: The Musical” graced the Tobin Center stage on Jan. 31, giving the audience a show to remember. Last January, a different touring group came to the Majestic Theatre and performed the same show, but it was nothing compared to this one.
The musical is a reimagined version of the well-loved 1990 romantic comedy “Pretty Woman,” starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. The story follows a witty street worker as she stumbles upon a rich, humorless man. They strike up a business deal that leads to the romance of everybody’s dreams.
As soon as the show began, the energy in the room was electrified. The ensemble dancers were fierce and fabulous, catching the eye of every audience member as they moved with precision. Emerging from the ensemble, the audience was met with the stunning female leads, Ellie Baker and Rae Davenport. Davenport brought a fire to the stage that nobody was prepared for; her vocals were exhilarating.
Baker, portraying the iconic Vivian Ward, lit up the room with an energy that could not be tamed. Confidence poured out of her every move, igniting the cast around her. Her male co-star, Chase Wolfe, reciprocated this energy. The chemistry between Wolfe and Baker was clear and natural. Nothing felt forced, which can be difficult to do on a stage without going overboard.
While some of the songs were forgettable, by no fault of the cast, the show’s production is what kept it alive. The ever-changing set and vibrant light plots played the perfect counterpart to the actors, elevating their already perfect performance. In addition, the costume designs were exactly like the original film, allowing the audience to reminisce about one of their favorite love stories.
Making movies into musicals is usually a disaster waiting to happen, but “Pretty Woman: The Musical” is the exception. What was once a short, semi-dry film is now an energetic musical destined to make people laugh. This tour will continue in nearby cities; tickets can be purchased at their site.
