Honest Review of Pretty Woman on Broadway – Is It Worth Seeing?

Opening on July 20, 2018 at the Nederlander Theatre, Pretty Woman: The Musical brings to Broadway one of the most beloved romantic comedies in film history. Based on the 1990 movie that became the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time, this new stage production has drawn enormous attention.
Two of our staff members were invited to see the show: Kawagoe, a fan who had loved the original movie for years, and Kaneki, who went in knowing nothing at all about the story. By the end, both were giving a standing ovation, and even joined the post-show stage door to meet the cast in person. Here is a detailed look at their experience.

About Pretty Woman: The Musical

The story takes place in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Vivian, who works as an escort, unexpectedly meets Edward, a wealthy businessman. What starts as a transactional relationship slowly turns into a real connection – the ultimate Cinderella story with an American flair.

Their clashing worlds, their gradual understanding of each other, and Vivian’s transformation from an insecure girl to a confident woman have touched audiences around the globe.

The original 1990 film topped the U.S. box office and grossed $463.4 million worldwide (about 530 million dollars), becoming one of the most enduring romantic comedies of all time.

Before reading this review, we recommend checking the detailed show page for highlights and story information.

• Learn more about Pretty Woman musical >>

We were invited to the reception party!

We were lucky to receive an invitation from the production team to a private reception party before the show. The venue was the same restaurant as the one used for the Frozen reception, but this time the atmosphere felt much more elegant, with champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and a classy pink-themed interior that perfectly matched Pretty Woman.

The venue: Planet Hollywood

Upon arrival, guests were handed punchy pink sunglasses, a playful nod to the film. Screens around the room played behind-the-scenes footage explaining how the movie was transformed into a musical, which built up our excitement before the show began. The event took place at Planet Hollywood, right in the center of Times Square – a perfect spot for pre- or post-theater dining.

Surprise guest appearances by two cast members

As the speeches began, two surprise guests appeared – Orfeh, who plays Kit De Luca, and Ezra Knight, who plays the rival businessman James Morse.

Although we couldn’t take photos, seeing them calm and confident just an hour before curtain was impressive. It was a perfect reminder of the composure and presence that make Broadway performers true professionals.

Performing at the Nederlander Theatre, just behind Times Square

Nederlander Theatre

Built in 1921, the Nederlander Theatre stands just behind Times Square’s bright billboards. Once located in one of the city’s roughest areas, it used to have a quite negative reputation but the neighborhood has completely changed, and today the theater is one of Broadway’s most respected venues.

Address: 208 W 41st Street, New York, NY 10036

For details about its history, design, and architecture, visit the page below.

• Learn more about Nederlander Theatre >>

Check out the official Pretty Woman merchandise

Past the lobby, you will find the theater’s merchandise corner – always one of the highlights of any Broadway visit. Items are displayed under the staircase, making them easy to browse even when the venue is crowded. The Pretty Woman line offers plenty of practical souvenirs, from T-shirts to tote bags.

T-shirts and hoodies are around $40 to $65, mugs and bottles $20 to $25, and smaller items about $10. If that feels expensive, the theater bars on both floors serve drinks in souvenir logo cups – a fun and affordable keepsake. Don’t forget to check the second-floor shop as well.

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Our seats for the show

How to read the ticket: MEZZR F 6

Mezzanine Right = Right side mezzanine
Row F (6th row), seat 6

The Nederlander is a relatively compact theater, and the seats are quite close together, which actually makes it comfortable for smaller audiences. Our row, F, was along the aisle, leaving generous legroom and enough space to stretch out or store a bag below the seat.

Comparing the orchestra and mezzanine levels

We arrived early enough to explore both floors and check which section offers the best view.

View from the orchestra level

The Nederlander holds 1,232 people, making it smaller than many Broadway theaters. From the front or center orchestra seats, the stage is fully visible. However, the opening scene takes place on the upper floors of Vivian’s apartment, so seats toward the back may have a slightly obstructed view. Sitting closer to the front is ideal, although the orchestra musicians play from the wings, so they are not visible from the front row.

View from the mezzanine level

The mezzanine steps are steep – you really have to lift your knees to climb. The incline gives you a great view of the entire stage, and you rarely have your view blocked by the person in front. However, the back rows can feel quite high up, so we recommend sitting in the front section of the mezzanine for the best balance of visibility and comfort. Note that there is only one staircase to reach this level, so it can get crowded before the show.

Post-show impressions

Since one of us knew the film and the other did not, we were able to enjoy Pretty Woman: The Musical from completely different perspectives. Here are our honest impressions.

For those who have seen the movie

The most striking thing was how faithfully the show recreated the movie’s scenes, costumes, and gestures. Vivian’s iconic outfit from her first meeting with Edward was perfectly reproduced, down to her accessories. The apartment and hotel sets were also built to match the film. For fans of the original, these details were thrilling to see live.

Because the film was not a musical, the stage version adds many original songs that bring new energy to the story. Among the standout performers are Orfeh (Kit De Luca) and Eric Anderson (Mr. Thompson).

Though they were minor characters in the film, they shine on stage with strong personalities and comedic presence. Eric even plays multiple roles, showing off impressive range, while Orfeh’s powerhouse vocals – honed from her career as a singer – electrify the theater. The supporting cast truly makes this production special.

For those who have never seen the movie

Hi, this is Kaneki! I knew the title but had never seen the film or even heard the story. What surprised me was how easy it was to follow. The dialogue uses everyday English, and even if you miss a line, the set changes and body language make it clear what is happening. With few characters but strong personalities, the story is fast-paced and easy to digest – a great choice for anyone seeing a Broadway show for the first time.

Even for those seeing this musical without knowing the movie, I’m sure they’ll be completely captivated by Samantha Barks as Vivian. For those who have seen the film, it is almost impossible not to compare her with Julia Roberts, but to me, Samantha’s portrayal feels like a perfect match for the role.

What struck me most was the way she embodies two completely different worlds – that of a “call girl” and that of a “socialite” – purely through her own charm. As a call girl, her smile radiates a kind of sweetness that instantly wins people over, men and women alike. And when she begins to step into the world of high society, she transforms into a sophisticated, cool beauty who seems like someone you could only admire from afar. Yet, she never lets either side become too extreme. Instead, she captures that delicate balance between the two – expressing the pure, unguarded sincerity at the heart of Vivian. It is a performance that feels both genuine and deeply moving.

Audience reactions

Many audience members who had seen the film said the musical drew them in even more. Some called it a funnier, fresher take on the original love story. Because it is a simple and touching Cinderella tale, it is easy to follow even for those new to musicals or English.

After the show: Meet the cast at the stage door

When the curtain fell, our real excitement began – waiting for the cast at the stage door. We had trouble locating the exit before the show, but soon after the performance ended, two sleek black cars pulled up in front of the theater, and staff began setting up barriers for fans.

The Pretty Woman cast leaves like true celebrities

Unlike most Broadway shows, where actors exit through side doors or walk home, Pretty Woman’s cast came out through the main entrance. Within 15 minutes, lead actress Samantha Barks appeared, signing programs and taking photos with everyone before stepping into one of the waiting cars. It was a genuine celebrity moment.

Shortly after, Andy Karl (Edward) and Orfeh (Kit De Luca) appeared together – they’re actually married in real life. Though their characters are not a couple on stage, they left the theater hand in hand, both stopping to greet fans. The second car turned out to be theirs.

Finally, after about 45 minutes, Eric Anderson (Mr. Thompson) emerged. His friendly smile and willingness to chat made waiting worthwhile. Getting an autograph and a photo with him was the perfect ending to the night.

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Don’t forget a photo at Times Square

The Nederlander Theatre is only steps away from Times Square. The show ended around 10:30 PM, and by the time the stage door event wrapped up, it was past midnight. Yet the streets were still lively and safe to walk. The famous red TKTS stairs, usually packed during the day, were almost empty at this hour – perfect for a commemorative photo.

Many nearby restaurants stay open late, so you can easily grab dinner after the show.

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