Pretty Woman Play Analysis

The Oriental Theatre brought the streets of Hollywood Boulevard to Chicago in its Production of Pretty Woman. This Musical was a Nerlander presentation and was written by Gary Marshal and J.F. Lawton, directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, and music by Will Van Dyke. I enjoyed this musical rendition of the story, which is originally based on the original film Pretty Woman from 1990, a “Cinderella-like” story about a businessman who falls in love with a prostitute.

Pretty Woman takes place in Hollywood in the 1980s and is about a prostitute named Vivian Ward, who works with her friend Kit Deluca. Late in paying the rent, the two need $300 for their apartment. Kit notices a wealthy businessman named Edward Lewis on the street and suggests Vivian trick him in order to get the money. Edward soon falls in love with her and offers to pay for her to stay with him and then pays her to stay for the rest of the week. In total the offer well exceeds what she originally needed,

The set included an orange and red tone backdrop, similar to that of a sunset and palm trees since the musical takes place in California. The scenes would transition electronically instead of by hand and objects such as the bed rotated on the stage. Various sets repeated such as the Hotel, Edward’s penthouse suite, the shipyard, and Vivian’s apartment and work area on Hollywood Boulevard. Comparatively, many of the outfits designed by Gregg Barnes were vibrant and loud colors as well as extravagant dresses that were purchased by Edward for Vivian. Others consisted of green and gold outfits worn by hotel workers and suits worn by businessmen. However, some were more raunchy. For instance, ones worn by the other prostitutes such as bras and skimpy and revealing clothing to fit the characters being portrayed. Although, one of the most notable pieces in the show was Vivian’s full length skin tight red slit dress she wore for going to the