Pretty Woman Is Getting A....

When you hear the name, "Julia Roberts," chances are that you immediately think of "Pretty Woman." The hit rom-com, which was released in 1990 also starred Richard Gere and told the story of a rich New Yorker who meets a hooker with a heart of gold named Vivian and buys her services for a week -- for $3,000. Despite the obstacles, they both develop feelings and in the end, share a kiss on Vivian's fire escape as "Prince Charming" rescues her from her life of prostitution.
​The movie was a smash hit, earning $463.4 million at the  box office.  Julia Roberts won a Golden Globe for her role in the movie.  A sequel was possibly in the works, but instead Roberts and Gere starred together in "The Runaway Bride"  in 1999.
​Earlier this year, it was announced that a musical adaption was in the works, which will start with an out-of-town tryout from March 13-April 15, 2018 at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago. Following the tryout, the show will open on Broadway in fall of 2018. The book will be written by the late Garry Marshall and J.F. Lawton; Jerry Mitchell will direct and choreograph;  music and lyrics will be by Jim Vallance and Bryan Adams.
​Samantha Barks -- making her Broadway debut will fill Julia Roberts's safety pin-held up boots in the role of Vivian. Barks rose to prominence as a contestant on the British singing competition show, "I'd Do Anything" where she vied for the role of 'Nancy' in a new production of the musical, "Oliver." Despite finishing in third place, Barks has gone on to quite a prolific career. In 2010, she took on the role of Éponine in "Les Mis èrables" from 2010-2011, and was featured in the 25th anniversary concert performance. filmed at the 02 Arena in London. She went on to play Nancy from 2011-2013 for the tour before reprising her role as ​Éponine for the film adaption of "Les Misèrables" in 2012.  In 2013, she performed the role of Velma Kelly at the Hollywood Bowl production of "Chicago" and has since starred in "Amelie" and "The Last Five Years," as well as appearing in films such as "Dracula Untold" and "Bitter Harvest." She released a solo album entitled, "Looking  I'm Your Eyes," in 2007," which was followed-up by "Samantha  Barks," in 2016.
​Among the rest of the cast are: Steve Kazee as Edward, Orfeh as Kit, Jason Danieley as Philip Stuckey. and Eric Anderson as Mr. Thompson.
​It is unclear yet whether the show will feature original material or be in the vein as the "Dirty Dancing" musical, which had actors playing out the roles, while singers in the background performed the soundtrack from the film.  One can assume that with the casting of Samantha Barks in the role it will be a legitimate musical.
​I am over the moon at this news. I've long thought that Pretty Woman would make a great musical if done right, and I love Samantha Barks. I think that she will be an amazing Vivian; she has an incredible voice and is a phenomenal actress