2025 is shaping up to be a great big year for musical debuts in Australia, with the highly anticipated Hadestown, The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale and Beetlejuice the Musical already lighting up stages across the country. Now, in major news for theatre fans, the Broadway and West End sensation Pretty Woman: The Musical is heading our way, with its Australian premiere set to open in Brisbane later this year. Adding even more buzz, Aussie pop superstar Samantha Jade will make her musical theatre debut in the starring role of Vivian. This is going to be big. And we mean BIG! HUGE!
Since its debut on Broadway in 2018, Pretty Woman: The Musical has broken box office records and captivated audiences in London’s West End, as well as in Spain, Italy and Germany. Based on one of Hollywood’s most beloved rom-coms, the 1990 blockbuster Pretty Woman starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, this musical adaptation tells the iconic tale of a chance meeting between Edward (a ruthless businessman) and Vivian (a free-spirited escort) in a whole new way.
One of Australia’s favourite triple threats, Samantha Jade, will play the role made famous by one of her favourite actors, Julia Roberts. The X Factor Australia winner says, "I was so familiar with the movie, and it felt like all the stars were aligning when I got the first email to come and audition."
"I've been lucky enough to sing and dance and act, but separately," Jade continues. "Doing them at once, live on stage, eight times a week... that's a whole new challenge."
The Australian premiere is set to dazzle audiences at Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s Lyric Theatre from October 2025, followed by a run at Theatre Royal Sydney from November. Brought to life by a powerhouse creative team, the production features a blazing rock score from Grammy winners Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance (‘Summer of ’69’, ‘Heaven’), with direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde), and a book by the original movie’s director Garry Marshall with screenwriter J.F. Lawton.
Trust us, missing this musical during its Aussie run will be a big mistake. A big, huge mistake! You can book tickets to Pretty Woman: The Musical in Brisbane or join the waitlist for tickets in Sydney here.