Flashbulbs ignited and cameras whirred inside Melbourne’s historic Regent Theatre this week, as the glittering world of Pretty Woman: The Musical was unveiled to Australia’s top media during an exclusive media call on Collins Street ahead of its opening night on Thursday 16 July 2026.
Stepping beyond the Regent Theatre’s grand façade at 191 Collins Street, invited outlets were transported into a high-gloss reimagining of the beloved 1990 film, with the full company delivering a vibrant on-stage preview led by pop star-turned-leading lady Samantha Jade as Vivian. The role, immortalised by Julie Roberts, has found new life in Jade’s commanding performance, matched by co-star Ben Hall and a dynamic ensemble including Michelle Brasier and Tim Omaji.
The Melbourne season marks the final stop of the musical’s nationwide Australian tour, bringing to a close a journey that has captivated audiences across the country. Following its triumphant Broadway debut at the Nederlander Theatre in 2018, where it shattered box office records, the production has enjoyed a remarkable international life, with extended runs in London’s West End, a US national tour, and acclaimed productions across Europe including Spain, Italy, Poland and Germany.
Inside the Regent, the energy was electric as scenes unfolded to a blazing rock score by GRAMMYS® winners Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, with direction and choreography by Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell. The musical retains the romantic heart of Garry Marshall and J.F. Lawton’s original screenplay while amplifying it with theatrical flair, high-octane choreography and contemporary edge.
Among those capturing the spectacle was veteran theatre photographer Lord Murray Schoorman of Peak Hour Images, whose lens has documented Melbourne’s stage productions for more than two decades. Lord Schoorman described the production as “a visual feast,” noting the cast’s charisma and the show’s polished staging as standout elements.
But the theatre wasn’t the only place turning heads.
Parked just outside the Regent, gleaming under the Melbourne winter light, sat a piece of cinematic history, the original limousine from Pretty Woman. Complete with its unmistakable early-90s fittings, the vehicle drew crowds of curious onlookers and eager photographers throughout the day.
Its presence in Australia is as intriguing as the story it helped tell on screen. Purchased at auction by an Adelaide-based collector, the buyer reportedly had no idea of the car’s Hollywood pedigree at the time. How the limousine made the journey from the streets of Los Angeles to Australia remains an unsolved mystery, adding a layer of intrigue to its already iconic status.
Leading producer Suzanne Jones, representing JONES Theatrical Group alongside ATG Productions and Gavin Kalin Productions, was also in attendance, offering insight into the resilience and evolution of Australia’s theatre industry amid changing audience landscapes.
As Melbourne prepares to host the final chapter of this global sensation, PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical arrives not only as a nostalgic celebration but as a bold, high-energy production that proves the enduring power of a modern fairy tale, one that continues to captivate audiences, from Hollywood to Collins Street.
