Romance and theatre lovers alike, prepare to delight in the South African stage debut of Hollywood’s favourite unconventional love story as Pretty Woman: The Musical arrives at the Teatro, Montecasino. Running from 24 April to 24 May 2026, audiences get to relive this classic story soundtracked by brilliant music and featuring a talented local cast.
Fall in love again with Pretty Woman: The Musical
Step back into the late ’80s as one of Hollywood’s most cherished love stories, Pretty Woman: The Musical, comes to life for the first time in South Africa.
Brimming with warmth, humour and romance, this dazzling stage adaptation of the classic 1990 film starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere unites the very best of Hollywood, Broadway, and pop music by Grammy-Award winning composer and lyricist Bryan Adams. The musical includes “Oh, Pretty Woman”, the Roy Orbison and Bill Dee hit that inspired the film, alongside an original score of ballads, pop, and rock-influenced showpieces.
When fate brings together unlikely soulmates Vivian and Edward, they take a leap of faith on each other, and on love. This uplifting, joy-filled stage adaptation of the beloved film combines love, laughter, nostalgia and chart-topping songs to make each performance an enjoyable trip down memory lane.
Pretty Woman: The Musical originally premiered on Broadway in 2018 and has enjoyed acclaimed runs in the West End and tours across North America and Europe. The show and its story of the unlikely romance of the rough-edged Vivian and refined businessman Edward is uplifting and fully of joy, combining love, laughter, nostalgia and chart-topping songs to make each performance an enjoyable trip down memory lane.
The show features a book by Garry Marshall and J. F. Lawton, the creators of the original Pretty Woman film, along with songs by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and direction and choreography by Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell.
Pretty Woman: The Musical is produced by Showtime Management in association with Crossroads Live North America.
Meet the cast and crew
Starring as Vivian Ward is the brilliant Leah Mari, who made her professional debut as the alternate ‘Maria’ in The Sound Of Music 2023/24 and won the Fleur du Cap Theatre Award for “Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Musical” for playing Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady 2024/25. Most recently Leah played the role of Kitty in CHICAGO The Musical.
The suave Edward Lewis is played by the versatile Christopher Jaftha who recently starred as Potiphar, Jacob and Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. His other stage credits include African Footprint, Aladdin and West Side Story and he was recently nominated as NFTA Best Actor for his work in the film Khaki Fever.
Kit De Luca, Vivian’s best friend, is played by Thuto Lesedi Gaasenwe (For Coloured Girls, The Jungle Book, A Place of Knowing), with Tiaan Rautenbach (We Will Rock You, MAMMA MIA!, The Addams Family: The Musical) starring as Happy Man, the hotel manager. Daniel Conradie (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, My Fair Lady, Hairspray) plays Edward’s lawyer Philip Stuckey.
The over 50 all-South African company includes the 24-member cast, 6-piece band, crew and creative team. The combined South African and international creative team includes Rusty Mowery (Associate Director and Associate Choreographer) and Will van Dyke (Musical Supervisor) from New York, working with South African’s Resident Director and Choreographer, Darren Greeff, supported by Assistant Resident Director Brett De Groot and Assistant Resident Choreographer Alexandra Girard.
Musical Director, Daniel Geddes, leads the band, assisted by Assistant Musical Director Luigia Cassaleggio. Alistair Kilbee of Gearhouse Splitbeam is Pretty Woman: The Musical’s Technical Director and Peter Taylor is the Company Manager.
How to book
Pretty Woman: The Musical is rated PG and recommended for ages 12 and up (due to mature themes, language and some sexual content). No children under 4 years are permitted.
There’s a 20% discount on groups of 20 and more for Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 6pm performances only. The discount is valid for the top two prices. Contact Jill Somers on 079 218 1658 or [email protected] to arrange tickets.
Cost: From R280pp to R580pp (From R200pp on Tuesdays), book via Ticketmaster
When: Running from 24 April to 24 May 2026 | Tues to Fri at 7.30pm; Sat at 3pm and 7.30pm; Sun at 2pm and 6pm
Where: Teatro at Monte Casino, Teatro Road, 1 Montecasino Blvd, Fourways, Johannesburg
Get in touch
Website: showtime.co.za | montecasino.co.za
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @showtimemanagementsa | @montecasino
Instagram: @showtime_sa | @montecasino_za
