DPAC's Pretty Woman Is a Glorious Guilty Pleasure

Adam Pascal and Olivia Valli star as Edward and Vivian (photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)

The film Pretty Woman first wowed audiences in 1990. Though it was originally conceived as a darker, seedier story, it was ultimately released as the frothy romantic comedy that so many know and love.

Looking back, there are certainly problematic elements, but Garry Marshall's direction and J.F. Lawton's screenplay have a "magic eraser" sort of effect. Viewers know they're watching something that glosses over big issues. They know they're watching something that's not very true-to-life, but they love it anyway. And the same holds true for Pretty Woman: The Musical, onstage now at the Durham Performing Arts Center, with a book by that same dynamic pair. Speaking of dynamic pairs, Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance are behind the catchy music.

As the curtain opens, viewers are instantly whisked away into the 1980s world of young sex worker Vivian Ward (Olivia Valli). She's living a hard life, but still maintains an innocent joy. It's that joy that draws rich Edward Lewis (played by Brent Thiessen at Tuesday's opening night performance) to her. Well, that, and a desperate need for directions back to the Beverly Wilshire. What unfolds, as fans of the film know, is a mutually reviving romance.

Here, the narrator is a Happy Man, portrayed by a show-stealing Kyle Taylor Parker. He's not just the narrator though. He also serves as a store clerk, opera conductor, and hotel manager. And, in each role, he adds joy and fun to the production. In fact, it becomes a game of sorts to see just how many times he can pop up.

Kyle Taylor Parker stars as Happy Man the tour guide in Pretty Woman: The Musical (photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)

He's not the only non-main character who adds to the fun either. Trent Soyster's bellhop Giulio is a joy to watch. He also gets the best of Jerry Mitchell's enjoyable choreography and makes the most of it. Plus, Amma Osei, with her operatic voice, regularly wows as both "Violetta" and in the ensemble. Likewise, Christian Brailsford projects a profound presence and immense likeability in his small-but-important role as David Morse, Edward's plot-important business associate.

In the lead roles, Olivia Valli and Brent Thiessen are a great match. In fact, their chemistry and bubbly banter make it hard to believe that Thiessen is an understudy. He creates an Edward that is believably bemused, bewitched, and so utterly smitten with Vivian that he's impossible not to love. He also stands out in the "You and I" number, whereas Valli's shining moment (among many) happens during "This Is My Life."

With that said, the script and the music definitely err on the "light-and-fluffy" side, but that doesn't make them any less enjoyable. The writing is also careful to avoid shaming sex work. This show's Vivian doesn't think her profession is wrong. She just thinks it's no longer the right choice for her. She's also a heroine who could save herself and has plans to do so.

Although there is sex here -- of course there is -- it's never portrayed in an uncomfortable way, thanks largely to careful lighting choices. Also, it has to be said that Gregg Barnes' costume design is spot-on. It both honors and reinvents iconic fashions from the film.

Overall, Pretty Woman: The Musical is much like its film predecessor. It's a bit of a guilty pleasure, but so what? You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who, if they're being honest, doesn't love it.

Pretty Woman stars Adam Pascal and Olivia Valli as Edward Lewis and Vivian Ward (photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)

Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance, Garry Marshall, and J.F. Lawton's PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL (In Person at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday), directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell and presented as part of Truist Broadway at DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center in Durham). TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHiacxnPFZ8&t=2s. 2021-22 TRUIST BROADWAY AT DPAC SEASON: https://www.dpacnc.com/truist-broadway/season/2021-2022-truist-broadway-at-dpac. THE PRESENTER/VENUE: https://www.dpacnc.com/, https://www.facebook.com/DPACNC, https://www.instagram.com/DPACNC/, https://twitter.com/DPAC, and https://www.youtube.com/user/DPACLive. DIRECTIONS: https://www.dpacnc.com/plan-your-visit/directions. PARKING: https://www.dpacnc.com/plan-your-visit/parking. DPAC COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS: https://www.dpacnc.com/events/vaccination-and-covid-19-test-requirements. THE TOUR: https://tour.prettywomanthemusical.com/, https://www.ibdb.com/tour-production/pretty-woman-the-musical-527012, https://www.facebook.com/PrettyWoman/, https://www.instagram.com/prettywoman/, https://twitter.com/prettywoman/, and https://www.youtube.com/PrettyWomanTheMusical. TOUR CAST: https://tour.prettywomanthemusical.com/#about. TOUR CREATIVE TEAM: https://tour.prettywomanthemusical.com/#creative-team. TICKETS: $30 and up, plus taxes and fees. Call 800-982-2787 or click here to buy tickets. GROUPS (10+ tickets): 919-680-2787, Groups@DPACnc.com, and https://www.dpacnc.com/events/groups-services. INFORMATION: 919-680-2787 or CustomerService@DPACnc.com. Robert W. McDowell's Review.

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