Pretty Woman Reviews

Laura Siracusa from Arlington Heights , Illinois

PRETTY WOMAN

Just loved it!!!I don't think children would enjoy it, but mom would. One complaint, the day at the races, where was the polka dot dress? Was a little disappointed not seeing her in that outfit, otherwise, very enjoyable. Highly recommend it.

Barbara Kohl from Paw Paw, Michigan

WORTH THE WAIT

I’ve read some of the negative reviews and after seeing the show I’m shocked. The cast selection was near perfect. The script followed the movie so closely and used the stage to accomplish stage presence in ways a movie cannot. The all original songs lent a personal touch with lyrics customized to embrace the scene. If you loved the movie you should love the musical. The music in the movie had songs by multiple song writers and performers. Both movie and musical on stage embraced their strengths. Let both awesome events stand on their merits! I’m going to see it again on Broadway!

Nancy from Chicago, Illinois

LOVED IT

I enjoyed every minute, every cast member.

Don Patulo from Chicago, Illinois

THE PLAY: 5 STARS: THE VENUE 1 STAR

Always faithful to the movie, Pretty Woman The Musical was a wonderful production with music, talented acting and scenery to make it a winner in Chicago and when it goes to the Big Apple. The venue, however, the Oriental Theater, is nothing short of a disaster. Seating in the front row, center stage of the Loge with full price tickets, our view was largely blocked by a railing tops of spotlights and cabling. Ticketmaster did not show any disclosure the seats would have partial views and took away from the overall experience. Again, play 5 stars, The Oriental Theater 1.

David from Chicago, Illinois

EXCELLENT TAKE ON A CLASSIC!

Pretty Woman is a classic love story that was brought to life in a very current and unique way. The songs are FANTASTIC and transform the play into something magical. The acting is pretty good but the voices of Edward and Vivian are top notch. They both have a way with the lyrics that turn these songs into beautiful ballads or upbeat hit songs that are good enough to be on the radio. I've seen tons of musicals in Chicago and around the country, but Pretty Woman is up there in quality, entertainment, and excitement with Wicked and Lion King. If you love the movie, you will love this amazing musical. A MUST SEE!

TMelton from Chicago, Illinois

SPECTACULAR!!❤️

The show was amazing! The show was filled with lovable characters and songs! You have to see it if you can!

Lyndsey from Arkansas from Chicago, Illinois

AMAZING!

This play was so amazing - It captures the movie perfectly... the music takes you into trances and you get swept away into the love story. The entire cast is extremely talented and their voices are beyond exceptional!

Maggie from Madison, Wisconsin

EXCELLENT MUSICAL

Great weekend in Chicago attending Pretty Woman. I purchased tickets before Christmas and had seats in the nosebleed section. The singing was very good. Overall a very enjoyable afternoon.

Joel from Highland Park Illinois

A MUST SEE

What a great fun evening in the theater. The cast is 5 stars. The music was wonderful. The cast has great chemistry. Every iconic line from the original movie was captured. Would love to see it again. In case you forget to say it at the end you’ll have a wonderful evening.

PR from Columbus, Ohio

AMAZING!

You must purchase your tickets right now!!! (while they're cheap) because something tells me the prices will go up. This was amazing!!! There's nothing like sitting in the orchestra section where you are up and close. You get to see their expressions and feel like you are part of the musical.

Lisa from Chicago, Illinois

PRETTY WOMAN

We enjoyed the musical and the leads were great. Samantha Barks' voice was amazing and Steve Kazee transformed as the show went on into a star as he sang "Your're Beautiful." Eric Anderson was the one to keep your eye on as he brought a sparkle and wit to his dual roles. He was so fun to watch! Loved seeing the classic movie brought to life. A few of the songs needed a little more punch, but overall it was a great performance that left a feel good vibe!!!

Barb Q. from Chicago, Illinois

PRETTY WOMAN REVIEW

We loved it. The music and choreography are great and the actors are outstanding. Such a fun show. Our seats were up in the balcony but we could see everything really well. Wouldn't take small kids. Great show to see with your daughter or friends.

Donna from Chicago, Illinois

IT WAS FANTASTIC

The musical was great. Every song and every number was fun and entertaining. The chemistry between Steve Kazee and Samantha Barks was perfect. It was a fun, sweet ,loving show. The songs were great and the dancers were wonderful. I want to see it again and again! Perfection!

from Chicago, Illinois

SUPERB! EVERYONE LOVES A GOOD LOVE STORY!

Opening night of Pretty Woman the musical.....beautiful music....fantastic lyrics by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance. This play did not disappoint.....Samantha Barks did a terrific job as Vivian. It was definitely a fun night out with girlfriends..lots of laughs in the play too. We traveled form Ontario Canada..it was worth the adventure! We were in loge c and loved the view and beauty of this famous theater-oriental theatre. We did the suite package and were impressed with the service and the value of it. Adam , our elevator guy was a delight to meet ...all in all...a great experience...I look forward to the soundtrack! I highly recommend this play after all everyone loves a good love story!

Jan elfline from Chicago, Il

LAUGHED, CRIED, LOVED IT

An evening at the theatre doesn't get any better than this. Samantha Barks was amazing. The show was funny and poignant; at times it was lively and raucous, at other times you could hear a pin drop in the packed auditorium. See it. You won't be disappointed.

Karen Kendrick-Hands from Chicago, Illinois

TRANSFORMATIONS AND FEEL-GOOD MUSIC

Go see it. You’ll leave happy! A familiar story with well developed characters. Strong numbers for both leads: ‘I won’t go back’ and ‘Freedom.’ The songs advanced the story. Enchanting close barber shop harmonies from the dastardly lawyers was delightful. Fun to watch them rotate through other roles. Opera scene with real diva and tenor was stunning and beautifully staged. Eric Anderson was a tour de force as he moved skillfully from opening narrator, hotel manager and Piano man. I liked the way he owned the multiple roles. Boutique snub and revenge well told in bland beiges.- a fun contrast to Nell’s rainbow dressed sycophants. The costuming was spectacular in helping to tell the tale. Spare gritty opening set portrayed the tawdry tenderloin of Hollywood Boulevard. Tango dance lesson well staged and fun. Sex scenes were pitch perfect for this grandma’s taste. Just right bled of sensitve, sensual and suggestive as relationship evolved. Deserves to be a big hit. Suggest

Mira Temkin from Chicago, Illinois

THIS SHOW HAD EVERYTHING...MUSIC, DANCING, EVEN OPERA!

The lines and the costumes were straight from the movies. But the music and dancing were all fresh and new with powerful, belt-it-out ballads. Stand outs were ORFEH as Kit De Lucca and Eric Anderson as Mr. Thompson/Happy Dance who both shined. ORFEH"S voice and sass were sensational. A great evening of entertainment. Loved it.

Jackie from Chicago, Illinois

PRETTY WOMEN

Loved the movie...... I did like the production a lot but there were a few key things missing.. We have to have the polka dot dress in polo scene! We could use a tap number with Kit and dream scene and finally it is so hard to be Julia roberts we need to try to over act the scenes from the movie that are the taglines. "These are broken" tagline has to be perfect! With all that said I did love it

Ralph from Chicago, Illinois

ALMOST EXCELLENT

My wife and I enjoyed this performance and have seem most productions that visit chicago. Our consensus after the show was its 80% there. We both recalled three times in the show where the scene needs work as either the song was not right, or the scene lost energy or cohesiveness to the story, or the acting just missed the spot of making it an excellent production. As aside note, The necklace scene needs elimination or something as it has no impact as it did with the movie. I recommend seeing the performance and know by the time it is in NY the show will be excellent. If you miss it you will regret not seeeing the broadway cast. They make the show. Excellent acting from a very talented cast.

Sean Bellinger from Chicago, Illinois

TAKING EXCEPTION

Many reviews were overly critical. We enjoyed the show and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys musicals. After all it's an adaption of a romatic comedy not a story for the ages. The cast, set and production are excellent. The music is a little bland but not offensive and a few of the numbers such as the opera scene were inspired. Fun show, good evening. Worth the effort.

Kevin from Chicago, Illinois

NOT PRETTY

We were very disappointed iwith this musical adaptation of Pretty Woman. Roy Orbison's signature song is not even included. The cast is very talented and there are a few impressive singers. The familiar story is in sync with the movie. There are many lackluster songs and a few high energy, well done pieces. The hotel manager character was excellent. The seating is too cramped at the Oriental and the acoustics were "tin-canny" . Definitely not worth the roughly $200 we paid per ticket. In the dress circle. I honestly could not recommend the play and to quote Frank Zappa, "save your money don't go to the show".

Karla B from West Chicago, Illinois

DISAPPOINTED

Cast was great. All the lines you'd expect from the movie. The music, except the opera parts was disappointing. I'm all for new songs here and there but not having ANY songs from the movie is the reason for only 3 stars. They didn't even sing Pretty Woman! A mix of original songs and new songs would have made it a hit! Not for young children due to language.

Thomas from South Bend, IN

IT WAS GOOD NOT GREAT

I wasn’t expecting much when I see a musical based on a movie. The first song was lame and I was like oh no this is going to be bad. The leads in my opinion saved the show and several songs were very good. The sets were very cool. The key scenes in the movie seemed forced here and they need work. I would recommend the show and hope they are able to make it better

Stuart Aizenberg from Chicago, Illinois

NOT READY FOR BROADWAY

My wife loved the movie and wanted to see the musical. The bottom line is it's good but not great. I expect to leave a musical with a song running through my head. That wasn't the case here. Eric Anderson steals the show. He's great. Samantha Banks is good as is most everyone else. Despite a wonderful resume, Steve Kazee is not great in this role. My wife commented that he was a weak link before I voiced the same opinion. If he was trying to act cool, calm and collected he succeeded too well. I'm not sure what they can do to fix the show. However, in it's current form I'd not expect it to last on Broadway. I saw Amelie on Broadway the week before it closed after lasting just about a month or so. I walked out of Pretty Woman with the same reaction I had to Amelie. Granted, this was a preview and they can tweak it. Saw Kinky Boots in preview too and that 2nd act got rewritten before Broadway. Best part of the evening was dinner at the Sienna Tavern before the show.

Mary from Chicago, Illinois

PRETTY WOMAN NEEDS A FACELIFT.

We loved the movie and were disappointed in the show. Kit and Mr. Thompson pretty much steal the show. Sometimes the pace just stalled. The songs were the most disappointing, other than the opera excerpt. They are just boring and the same lines are sung repeatedly be Edward, who is about as exciting as a wet noodle. The sets and choreography were great but the sizzle just isn't there. We saw 5 Broadway shows in Chicago this winter and this one was the biggest waste of money. BTW, not appropriate for kids. Seats were okay but uncomfortable.

J. Carroll from Chicago, Illinois

NOT A HIT

Performers did an excellent job with a very poorly written musical. The songs are cheap pop songs that are actually painful to hear next to the opera interludes that leave you craving well-written music. This is a waste of Samantha Barks talent.

Tamar from Chicago, Illinois

UNDERWHELMING AND BLAND

The musical lacked creativity, was mediocre, was not engaging and sex scenes were awkward. The musical was nearly identical to the movie, but the movie was by far better. Edward moved robotically on stage. On a positive note, Vivan, Mr. Thompson, Kit and the opera singers were very talented! I would not recommend this musical.

Greg from Chicago, Illinois

START OVER

I’m sad. There is some potential but no chemistry between the leads. Great voices but no song you walk away singing. No love duet. Opera scene is amazing as is supporting cast. Show misses the mark on capturing the moments we were wowed by her transformation as well as his. Edward has no connection to the audience until act two. The staging is really bad as is the choreography. Female lead does her best but doesn’t have much to work with. Did I say the music just doesn’t work. New musicals are hard but there has to be a song. First act is painful. Second act improves somewhat. Don’t rush the key moments of the piece. Changing the diner to dancing doesn’t work

Cristina from Chicago, Illinois

UNFORTUNATE USE OF GREAT TALENT

As someone who's seen PW the movie about 900x, I was really eager to see the musical. And when I realized who the stars were, I was even more excited. The acting was excellent, but the musical was tired. Not a single song was catchy and the script was nearly identical to the movie save for the early restaurant scene (which was one of the better scenes). I had hoped for some creativity to complement the classic story, but I found myself saying the lines in my head before the actors did and wondering what Julia and Richard would think if they saw their legacy put to musical shame.

Patty from Chicago, Illinois

WASTED OPPORTUNITY, EVENING AND $100 BUCKS

You'd think that since the writers didn't spend a minute re-writing the script for this musical--pulling it almost verbatim from the movie--they'd have had a bit more time to focus on the songs, but apparently not. Without an ounce of musical talent, I seriously think that I could have come up with a ditty or two better than what was presented. And when I think about the missed opportunities for big numbers, like Welcome to Hollywood or the Opera (which was the only shinning part of the show) or the Polo Match - just such a shame. I attended with two friends and we had to truly convince each other to stay after intermission. At one point we all simultaneously broke out into the giggles because it was that bad. In terms of pure nostalgia, such a goldmine to work with. Such a shame.

Ellen from Chicago, Illinois

CAST-GREAT. SCRIPT-THE EXACT SAME. SONGS-UNREMARKABLE.

I found myself wishing I was watching the movie. The script was exactly the same, the songs were unremarkable. The cast did a good job with what they had (I kind of felt sorry for them). We rolled our eyes and giggled at some points because it was so corny. Many of the movie moments just didn't play in the theater and it would have been fun to see a few "tweeks" for the stage. I don't think this is going to Broadway.

Bruce Allen from Vancouver

SIMPLY AWFUL

Terrible , songs written by someone obviously who has never seen a musical and also whose song writing talent dried up in the seventies, the songs were the worst lyrics I have ever heard banal fire the songwriters , as others have reviewed this would shame a high school production will close on broadway within two months

Lynn B from Chicago, Illinois

STAY HOME AND WATCH THE MOVIE INSTEAD

Almost left at intermission, wish I did. The music was kid Disney. Songs were mainly repeating one cheesy line over and over and a lot of times didn't seem to match the mood of the scene. Barks has a beautiful voice, it's a shame it was wasted on terrible ballads. Kazee seemed like he didn't want to be there. Eric Thompson and Oerfeh gave us hope. If it wasn't for how uncomfortable and cramped the seats were I probably would have fallen asleep.

Kaye from Chicago, Illinois

PRETTY WOMAN—THE MUSICAL

With the exception of the opera scene, this play was brutal. The performers were talented but the show overall was just bad. And the music was —well, I can’t remember a single song and I saw it last night. NOT Broadway ready.

JR from Chicago, Illinois

LEFT @ INTERMISSION

Truly atrocious! Lucky for us, the "big mistake. Big. Huge!" moment happened just before the intermission, so we had seen more than we needed to see and did not have to suffer through any more. The music is what drags this show down so so far. Not a single memorable song, and completely cheesy, predictable, cookie cutter movie turned musical. Unfortunately, not tasteful. Just unbearable.

Katie from Chicago, Illinois

HIGH SCHOOL PRODUCTION

I questioned how this was going to translate to a musical. It just.... didn't. The songs didn't advance the narrative and the pacing felt off the whole time. There were awkward pauses that felt like someone forgot their lines. The dialogue was word for word from the movie, so that made it drag and really did make me want to watch the movie. There wasn't any chemistry between the lead actors. Several blunders with tech. Phones ringing after she picks up the phone, hat coming off after the shopping scene. Overall, it just felt like a high school production. The one bright spot was the actor who played the dual roles of the narrator/hotel manager/piano man.

Jeffrey Giannetti from Chicago, Illinois

PRETTY WOMAN THE MUSICAL

Can't count how many musicals I've seen in my life and have never left at intermission. Had to break that streak with this "show." It was so bad, my wife and I could not stomach another act and had to keep ourselves from giggling at how bad the first act was. So sad - we love the movie. This was an insult to the movie, the book and the theatre. My daughter is in the national tour of Love Never Dies, which is unclear if it will make it to Broadway. If Pretty Woman makes it Broadway, Love Never Dies should run there forever. Soooooo Bad!

N. R. R. from Chicago, Illinois

WORST BRODWAY IN CHICAGO I'VE SEEN

The music is very poorly written; Unfortunately, I fear Bryan Adams' time is over. Overall the energy was quite low, with the exception of the Act 1 closer. The actors were doing the best job they could, but you can't squeeze a single ounce more energy out of them with the cheap sounding music and gimmicky characters. This is gonna need some major fixing before it heads to Broadway, but I don't know if there's a way to repair the score without scrapping it all together. The movie was great, but unfortunately this story goes nowhere with this adaptation. The bright light of this show were the costumes and scenery - both did a good job with the poor material.

Ruth from Chicago, Illinois

COULDN'T MAKE IT

I never leave at intermission but in this case, I did. Super low energy with awkward musical numbers that were well performed sort of but made no sense. I can't believe such big talent put their heads and cash together and created this. Just difficult to sit through. Well, half of it. Not funny. Not changing and not clear about what the songs were trying to do.

Diana Pure from Chicago, Illinois

SORRY, NO...

The best that can be said is that it makes you want to go home and watch the movie (again). The music is uninspired and dated, and worse, many songs didn’t fit the context. At one point I found myself wishing they had used “Lady In Red” instead and I HATE that song. If you want to listen to Bryan Adams songs (does anybody still do that?), crank up “I Do It For You,” or”All For Love.” Those worked in the 1990’s. Pretty Woman is set there, but it’s 2018, and this stuff just doesn’t fly any more. The real highlight, as pointed out in other reviews, was the soprano belting out La Traviata. Beautiful! No way this can be made whole and taken to Broadway. So sorry...

Craig e from Chicago, Illinois

NOT CLOSE TO BROADWAY READY

The music is generally okay but the show has limited energy; there is nothing memorable; and what happened to integrating in the actual theme song. The lead playing Edward was very badly miscast and does not carry the part. I cannot recommend this musical until several changes are made.

Ed from Naperville, Illinois

LAUGHABLE OR JUST SAD?

I totally agree with everything that "Patty from Chicago" stated except that it really only deserves one star. I would add that the biggest blunder was in not playing the theme song Pretty Woman. That's kind of like going to Mama Mia and not hearing any Abba songs. Seriously? The acting was weak. The singing even worse. Everyone seemed stiff like they were reading their lines in their heads. It seems more like a high school production than something ready for Broadway. Finally, give the lady that did the opera her full minute of fame, that was stellar!

MP from Chicago, Illinois

PURELY AWFUL

Where to begin? Fire the songwriters. I’ve never heard more sophomoric lyrics in my life. Painful to listen to. Has Bryan Adams ever seen a musical? This show has zero authenticity. It was written to make money and while that might work in Hollywood, it won’t work here. A waste of money and time. It has no humor, no lightheartedness, no fun! It drags on and on without a point. It has the story, it has the actors but it has no script. Just laborious, boring and I could not wait to get out of there.

Don Oakbeach from Chicago, Illinois

NEEDS REWORKED

This was a poor excuse for a musical. The songs were bad, the story was told without any nuance, the talented cast was wasted in what felt like a high school production. The highlight was the Opera singers. Great job on the set design. This felt more like a cartoon version of story telling. I take that back, Bugs Bunny had more depth. Oh, someone please ask Steve Kazee to shave the Tom Hanks Castaway beard.

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