Andy Karl to star in Pretty Woman: The Musical on Broadway
Karl assumes the leading role of Edward Lewis in the Broadway production.
Producers of Pretty Woman: The Musical have announced that three-time Tony Award nominee & Olivier Award winner Andy Karl will assume the male leading role of Edward Lewis in the Broadway premiere of the musical which is set to officially open at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre on August 16, 2018, following previews from July 20. Mr. Karl takes over from Tony & Grammy Award winner Steve Kazee, who played the role during the pre-Broadway engagement at Chicago's Oriental Theatre and has had to depart the production for family reasons.
Mr. Karl commented: "I always figured I'd be playing the part of 'audience member' for Pretty Woman. When Paula Wagner and my longtime friend, Jerry Mitchell, asked if I would take over the role of 'Edward' it was a total surprise. I was already a fan of the show after watching my wife (Orfeh) in the pre-Broadway workshops and then during the run in Chicago. She's part of a tremendously talented cast. Also, I was lucky enough to be friends with the great Garry Marshall, having worked with him before, and he created one of the most romantic stories of the 20th Century, so it didn't take much arm twisting to get me to agree."
Andy Karl has previously earned Tony Award nominations for his performances in Groundhog Day (2017), On the 20th Century (2015), and Rocky (2014), and he also won an Olivier Award for originating the role of Phil Connors in the world premiere of Groundhog Day in London in 2017. His other Broadway credits include The Mystery of Edwin Drood, 9 to 5, Legally Blonde, The Wedding Singer, Jersey Boys, Wicked, and Saturday Night Fever.
Directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell, Pretty Woman: The Musical features original music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Bryan Adams and his longtime songwriting partner Jim Vallance, and a book by Garry Marshall and J.F. Lawton, the director and screenwriter, respectively, of the original movie.
Synopsis: "Vivian and Edward are unlikely soulmates who overcome all odds to find each other... and themselves. Experience the moments you love from the movie — and get to know these iconic characters in a whole new way — in this dazzlingly theatrical take on a love story for the ages. Brought to life by a powerhouse creative team representing the best of music, Hollywood and Broadway, Pretty Woman: The Musical is guaranteed to lift your spirits and light up your heart."
The cast of Pretty Woman: The Musical includes Samantha Barks (as Vivian Ward), 3-time Tony Award nominee & Olivier Award winner Andy Karl (as Edward Lewis), Tony Award nominee Orfeh (as Kit De Luca), Jason Danieley (as Phillip Stuckey), Eric Anderson (as Mr. Thompson), and Kingsley Leggs (as James Morse).
The creative team features music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Will Van Dyke, scenic design by David Rockwell, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Kenneth Posner & Philip S. Rosenberg, sound design by John Shivers, and hair design by Josh Marquette.
Pretty Woman: The Musical is produced on Broadway by Paula Wagner, Nice Productions, LPO, New Regency Productions, Roy Furman, James L. Nederlander, Caiola Productions, Hunter Arnold, Stage Entertainment and The John Gore Organization.
Pretty Woman: The Musical Tickets are available now for performances from July 10, 2018 through to March 10, 2019.
Pretty Woman has now closed in New York, but the show will be transferring to London.
Pretty Woman tickets will be available via our partner site LondonTheatre.co.uk
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