Samantha Barks to star in Pretty Woman the musical on Broadway

Samantha Barks and Jonathan Bailey in The Last 5 Years. Photo: Scott Rylander

Samantha Barks is to star in the musical stage adaptation of the hit film Pretty Woman as Vivian when it opens on Broadway in 2018.

Barks who played Eponine in the film version of Les Miserables will appear opposite Steve Kazee (Once) as Edward - the role originally played by Richard Gere. The cast will also include Eric Anderson as Mr Thompson, Orfeh as Kit, Jason Danieley as Philip Stuckey and Kingsley Leggs as James Morse.

Pretty Woman the musical has a book by the film's writer/director the late Garry Marshall and screenwriter J F Lawton and has original music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Bryan Adams and his songwriting partner Jim Vallance, The show will be directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell.

Pretty Woman will have its world premiere at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago for a limited five week run from March 13, 2018 before it moves to the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway with an opening night of August 16, 2018.

Pretty Woman The Musical joins productions of Frozen, King Kong, Mean Girls and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child which have announced 2018 Broadway openings. Visit our BROADWAY PAGE