One of the most celebrated on-screen love stories comes to the Cape Town stage with Pretty Woman: The Musical, running from 19 March to 19 April 2026 at Artscape. 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, as well as an all-local cast. Here’s everything you need to know.
Enjoy a Romance for the Ages
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.
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.
This internationally acclaimed musical made its Broadway premiere in 2018 and went on to break box office records while enjoying acclaimed runs in the West End and tours across North America and Europe. The South African production features an all-South African cast, crew and band working under a combined local and international creative team.
Meet the All-South African Cast & 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 Tickets
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: 18 March – 18 April 2026 | Tues to Fri at 7.30pm; Sat at 3pm and 7.30pm; Sun at 2pm and 6pm
Where: Artscape Opera House, D.F. Malan St, Foreshore, Cape Town
Website: showtime.co.za
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @showtimemanagementsa
Instagram: @showtime_sa
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