Andy Karl to Replace Steve Kazee in Broadway Run of Pretty Woman

Andy Karl will return to Broadway this summer in Pretty Woman: The Musical at the Nederlander Theater, producers have announced.

Karl will take on the leading role of Edward, originated during the recent Chicago engagement by Steve Kazee, who has bowed out of the Broadway run because of family reasons. Previews begin Friday, July 20, with opening night set for Thursday, August 16.

The company is headed by Samantha Barks as Vivian, as well as Orfeh as Kit, Jason Danieley as Philip Stuckey, Eric Anderson as Mr. Thompson, and Kingsley Leggs as James Morse. Allison Blackwell, Tommy Bracco, Brian Calí, Robby Clater, Jessica Crouch, Anna Eilinsfeld, Matt Farcher, Lauren Lim Jackson, Renée Marino, Ellyn Marie Marsh, Jillian Mueller, Jake Odmark, Jennifer Sanchez, Matthew Stocke, Alex Michael Stoll, Alan Wiggins, Jesse McGraw Wildman, and Darius Wright make up the ensemble.

Directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, Pretty Woman: The Musical has an original score by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, with a book by Garry Marshall and the film's screenwriter, J.F. Lawton. The production will feature scenic design by David Rockwell, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Kenneth Posner and Philip S. Rosenberg, sound design by John Shivers, hair design by Josh Marquette, and music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations by Will Van Dyke.

Pretty Woman: The Musical will be Karl's third Broadway production with wife Orfeh, after Saturday Night Fever and Legally Blonde.