Pretty Woman to debut in Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne in 2026

Big news. Big. Huge! Broadway and West End smash hit musical PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical, based on the much-loved iconic film starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, will make its debut in Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne in 2026.

One of Australia’s favourite performers, Samantha Jade, will star as Vivian Ward, the role made famous worldwide by the much-loved Julia Roberts. She will be joined by Ben Hall as Edward Lewis.

Currently loved by audiences in Brisbane, the musical broke box office records at the Nederlander Theatre when making its Broadway debut in 2018 and has also wowed audiences in an extended West End season in London and a US national tour as well as productions in Spain, Italy, Poland and Germany. It features a blazing rock score from GRAMMY® winners Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance with direction and choreography by Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Hairspray) and a book by the original movie’s director Garry Marshall & screenwriter J.F. Lawton.

Australian production images by Daniel Boud

Samantha Jade has been a household name in Australia for many years since winning Channel 7’s X Factor in 2012. She has amassed a collective 91 million streams and 2.3 million sales worldwide, released a single with Pitbull (Shake That) and released her album NINE in 2015 which hit #2 on the ARIA charts.

The multi-talented Samantha has been a regular fixture on Australian television, starring as Kylie Minogue in the TV Miniseries INXS: Never Tear Us Apart, as well as an ongoing guest-starring role in Home & Away. She has also toured with One Direction and Westlife and has headlined the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras twice.  In 2023, Samantha toured nationally with the Backstreet Boys and joined the cast of the second season of Celebrity Apprentice. Most recently, Samantha danced her way to the top as the runner-up of Channel 7’s 2024 Dancing With The Stars and released her infectious single Peachy.

Australian production images by Daniel Boud

Ben Hall is best known for his series regular role as Ned Willis on Neighbours and his leading role in the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man, directed by Michael Gracey. He is a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and most recently toured on stage as Sam Phillips in Elvis: A Musical Revolution. His other musical theatre credits include Boublil & Schönberg’s Les Misérables and the beloved Australian production Only Heaven Knows.

The cast also features Michelle Brasier as Vivian’s wise-cracking friend Kit de Luca as well as Tim Omaji, also known as Timomatic, in the dual role of Happy Man / Mr Thompson.   

Michelle Brasier is a standout voice in Australian storytelling and a favourite of the global comedy scene. Her one-woman comedy-as-philosophy shows, accompanied by Tim Lancaster, continue to sell out seasons across Melbourne, Sydney, London, New York, LA and Edinburgh year after year.

Australian production images by Daniel Boud

Screen acting credits include Shaun Micallef's Mad As Hell (ABC), Aunty Donna's Big Old House Of Fun (Netflix), Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe (ABC, Netflix), Koala Man (Disney), YOLO (HBO Max), Thank God You're Here (Ten), Get Krack!n, Drunk History Australia, and How to Stay Married. Michelle also stars as Lindy in Ghosts Australia (Network 10, Paramount, BBC Aus) and is well known for her frequent collaborations with sketch comedy group Aunty Donna.

Tim Omaji is a Nigerian-born Australian actor, singer-songwriter and dancer who gained international attention after releasing a string of multi-platinum selling songs such as Set it Off as a Sony Music artist under the stage name ‘Timomatic’.

Tim's transition from singer to actor showcased his remarkable versatility and acting talent. Initially known for his success in the music industry, Tim has earned acclaim for his powerful portrayals in major theatrical productions his role of Ike Turner in TINA: The Tina Turner Musical at Theatre Royal Sydney, Toulouse-Lautrec in Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Benny in Rent as well as the lead role of Tyrone Jackson in Fame The Musical, Sam Onatou in the Australian tour of MADIBA The Musical – A Celebration of the Life of Nelson Mandela, Monty in the Australia tour of Saturday Night Fever and the standout role of Benny in the critically acclaimed and sold out 2018 season of the Hayes Theatre Company’s production of In The Heights.

They will be joined by Douglas Hansell as Philip Stuckey and Ensemble cast members including Artemis Alfonzetti, Caitlin Spears, Callum Warrender, Chiara Assetta, Clay Hill, Daniel Erbacher, Fabian Andrés, Glenn Hill, Jordan Angelides, Jordan Tomljenovic, Lauren Jimmieson, Lucy Fraser, Matt Douglass, Matthew Prime, Phoebe Coupe, Rebecca Gulinello, Romina Villafranca, Sasha-Lee Saunders and William Motunuu.

Australian production images by Daniel Boud

Once upon a time in the late ’80s, Vivian met Edward and her life changed forever. Be swept up in their romance in this dazzlingly theatrical take on a love story for the ages – and get to know these iconic characters in a whole new way – in a sensational show that took London’s West End by storm, guaranteed to lift your spirits and light up your heart.

Book your tickets for a trip to Rodeo Drive and get ready for a big night out. Big. Huge!

PRETTY WOMAN The Musical

Produced by Suzanne Jones for JONES Theatrical Group, ATG Productions and Gavin Kalin Productions

Book by Garry Marshall & J. F. Lawton**

Music and Lyrics by Bryan Adams & Jim Vallance

Based on the Touchstone Pictures motion picture Written by J. F. Lawton

Directed and Choreographed by Jerry Mitchell

Arrangements and Orchestrations by Will Van Dyke

Originally produced on Broadway by Paula Wagner Nice Productions LPO

New Regency Productions Caiola Productions & Co. James L.

Nederlander Roy Furman Hunter Arnold

Graham Burke Edward Walson deRoy Kierstead Michael Cassel Group

Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

SIGN UP FOR EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO TICKETS FOR THE MELBOURNE SEASON VIA www.prettywomanthemusical.com.au

#PrettyWomanAU #PrettyWomanTheMusical @PrettyWomanMusicalAU

busycitykidstheatre, musical, sydney, brisbane, adelaide, perth, melbourne