Pretty Woman the Musical

They are stepping into big shoes.  Samantha Jade and Ben Hall are taking on the roles made famous by Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in Pretty Woman. David Spicer spoke to the pair as they prepared for the Australian premiere of the musical version of the famous movie.

For Samantha Jade there is all that comparison to Julia Roberts’ long legs and the thousand-watt smile, with those dazzling teeth. Whilst Ben Hall must compete with memories of Richard Gere’s charm, good looks and dimples. 

The casting announcement for the Australian premiere of Pretty Woman The Musical attracted a huge response on Stage Whispers' social media accounts.

Samantha Jade’s  pop music career was launched when she won Channel 7’s X Factor in 2012. She’s had guest roles on Home and Away and played as Kylie Minogue in the TV Miniseries INXS: Never Tear Us Apart.

Ben Hall is a WAAPA graduate with music theatre credits and was a regular on Neighbours. 

Pretty Woman the Musical ran for over a year on Broadway, attracting lukewarm reviews at best, but has been described as “slick and crowd pleasing” at other international outings.

The score by Bryan Adams has an ‘80s/’90s feel, with the famous Roy Orbison song part of the curtain call. 

Large sections of the script have been lifted from the movie, which is about a prostitute, Vivian, who is engaged as an escort by a businessman, Edward, who gives her a Pygmalion transformation. I spoke to both Australian stars.

David Spicer:  Congratulations. When did you first become aware of the phenomenon of Pretty Woman?

Ben Hall:  I wasn't born when the movie came out,  but over the years,  as it's such a cultural phenomenon,  I became aware of it quickly.  All those iconic moments are referenced so often that you start seeing bits of it on TV, and then at some point I've watched it and loved it like everyone else. It was the forerunner to all those other ‘90s rom coms. Such a great period in film. 

DS: So you were born two years after the movie came out in 1990.  Is it intimidating to step into the shoes of Richard Gere? 

BH: It is, because he has such a calm presence about him, such an aura. Many women, my mum included, are very big fans, so there's big, big shoes to fill, but I'm looking forward to it. 

DS: Samatha what was your introduction to the movie?

Samantha Jade: I was very much alive (when it was released). I obviously didn't see it when I was little, but I do remember watching it with my mum, and I loved it.  My mum and I had these little comfort films that we would always watch; they were always rom coms and Pretty Woman was number one on the list. I was a little bit in love with Richard Gere. 

DS:  Julia Roberts is known for her famous smile. Do you have teeth like Julia? 

SJ: No, I don't. I wish I did. I've talked about that a lot. Julia has so many teeth. I have very big teeth for my mouth. That's from my Mum. I would never try that big smile. 

DS: What about a Richard Gere dimple?

BH: Do I have a dimple? 

SJ: You do.

BH: I try to get a little sparkle in the eyes.

SJ: Ben can smile. That’s what Richard Gere is really good at. Ben can nail a smile. That’s why he got it.

DS:  Richard Gere blushes a bit.

BH: He gets a bit uncomfortable at the beginning. Yeah, he's definitely not an intimate man to begin with. 

DS: How do you put your own stamp on the role?

BH: I didn’t watch the movie recently but going into the audition I read the script of the musical first.  I think obviously there needs to be a balance. The audience is going to expect to see those iconic moments, and they're all in there. But without it being a carbon copy of the movie.

SJ: It is different to the movie because obviously it’s a musical take on it, and the music plays such a big role. Bryan Adams is an amazing songwriter. He  gives it a new feel, and in a very good way. 

DS: When we think of the movie, we think of the Roy Orbison tune. How does it match that classic rendition of Pretty Woman?

BH: Bryan Adams is very much of that period. I think the rock music, and particularly the ballads, lends itself well to those key emotional moments and pivotal shifts for the characters. It gives you a  good  insight into their interior life, which the film can only hint at. That's the new element for audiences. 

SJ: I think he's leaned into that kind of era and then, obviously, the late 80s era of the film. There are power ballads, super memorable choruses  and memorable ear worms that are embedded in the back of my head.

DS: What are your favourites?

SJ: I think for me and for Vivian, it is a song called “Anywhere But Here”. It’s early in the show and is an important part of character.

DS: Ah yes, the famous traditional ‘I want’ song which establishes a character’s yearnings. What is your favourite Ben?

BH: ‘Long Way Home’, which is their beautiful moment towards the end of the musical when they think they are not going to get together.

DS:   What literary traditions does it to draw on? Is it a Cinderella story?

SJ:  Yes, but I think this musical highlights her strengths a lot. 

BH:  It is more empowering and modern (than the traditional Cinderella story). 

DS: In the story, the male lead Edward doesn’t take advantage of his pretty woman when he first hires her. Does that make it modern or old fashioned?

BH: If you're looking at these transactional relationships, these power dynamics and differences in self-worth - all of those sorts of things are relevant across any time in any sort of genre. I don't think there's anything in there that is too on the nose. It manages to traverse that fine line very well.

SJ: I agree. There's a line in the movie at the very end, when he climbs up the tower and she rescues him right back. That's really important; throughout the whole musical they rescue each other. It's not just about a man getting her off the streets, obviously that’s the story, but she rescues him in a different way. 

DS: What does she rescue him from? 

SJ: A boring life?

DS: Is there anything in your own lives where you have seen people plucked out of obscurity to be sort of rescued?

BH: I suppose the one that I could think of is actors that are living in share houses, in rough conditions, working rough night jobs, and then suddenly they get a huge role in something. That has got a little bit of that rescued out of obscurity feel. And then they go on to kind of crazy fairytale lives. You can be cleaning toilets one day and a Hollywood star the next.

DS: Finally, is there anything in your training or other jobs that have helped you prepare you for this role?

BH:  I think all roads lead to your current job. I think you take a little bit of everything from every job. 

SJ: I've been racking Ben's brain. I'm like, tell me everything, because obviously it's my introduction into musical theatre, and he's done it. So I'm like, ‘What do I do? How do I do it?’ And yes, he just keeps saying it's about stamina and working hard, and you'll be so fine. Fingers crossed. 

What Stage Whispers’ Facebook followers said.

The casting announcement of Samantha Jade as Vivian drew some 2,000 likes and loves, along with 450 comments on our social media. The posting about Bens Hall’s casting drew a further 500 plus likes and loves. 

While the vast majority were thrilled with the casting, like KB: “Beautiful lady - just perfect for the role”, as usual, Facebook Central Casting offered several alternate suggestions.

Rhonda Burchmore was mentioned, but while her legs considered a great match, was she perhaps a little too old?  MK felt that Samantha is more like Kylie Minogue than Julia Roberts, and while SG loves Samantha’s voice, they thought Delta would be a better fit. RW also says Samantha is an amazing singer, but they can’t see her as a prostitute, suggesting she’s more like Sandy from Grease.

Far more comments, though, supported the casting. 

“Some of you are so cruel. Why can't people be nice? I'm sure Samantha will be fantastic. Instead of being judgmental, have an open mind and give her a chance.” LB 

“She’ll be amazing! Why is it all grumpy old ladies on here are trying to tear someone down.” EK. 

Pretty Woman opened at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane in October, ahead of seasons at the Theatre Royal Sydney from November, Perth from April, Adelaide from May and Melbourne from June.

prettywomanthemusical.com.au

Photographer: Daniel Boud