Why Pretty Woman is the perfect team outing

We went out, you know. With almost the entire Amayzine team. There was already back and forth texting about outfits, restaurants near the Beatrix Theater, and who sees whom where, and then it suddenly happened. With the girls to Pretty Woman. In every respect a rare good idea. Let me summarize it all.

1. The Beatrix Theater is extremely central
In Utrecht, so right in the middle of the country. Ideal if you have colleagues from all directions. One comes from Arnhem, another from Rotterdam, and we also have a lovely specimen from Sweet Lake City, also known as Zoetermeer. Utrecht is perfectly located in the middle, and the Beatrix Theater is so close to the station that you can walk there in your highest Jimmy Choos with a smile.

2. Eating is a feast
We ate at The Seafood Bar in Hoog Catharijne (really nice and tasty, although the service was a bit on the, how shall I put it, calm side, but the food is delicious), but you can also choose an arrangement at the theater like bubbles and bites or a dinner.

3. Feelgood romcom on stage
We actually had someone with us (you know who you are) who had never seen Pretty Woman. In that case, the musical is a delightful musical; fantastic. For the others who can dream Pretty Woman from back to front, the musical is a wonderful feel-good re-experience of the film with so many plus points. The script is translated by Lisa Loeb (I interviewed her about this) and provided with a 2023 sauce, making the character Vivian a lot stronger. What you get extra are the dancers and the songs written by, among others, Bryan Adams.

4. The actors
Lead actress Shanna Slaap delivers a masterful and layered Vivian. I was at the premiere and saw the musical again, where I saw so much growth and confidence. The synergy between Vivian and her friend Kit De Luca (Dana van der Geer has a voice with more wind power than storm Pia) is so wonderfully visible. A standing ovation for Mitch Wolterinck, who is both Happy Man and the iconic Mister Thompson, the manager of the five-star hotel where Edward resides.

5. The sets
In a sigh, we go from Hollywood Boulevard to the suite of the Beverly Willshire and just as easily to the balcony of Kit and Vivian's apartment.

6. Jan Kooijman
Yes, Jan gets a separate paragraph because try filling those enormous shoes of Richard Gere. Who can do that? Well, Jan can. He is matured, charming, smart, warm, attractive, and my god, I think it's better that this man keeps his clothes on. Let me put it this way: my girls were massively in love and intensely jealous that I had some nice DM contact with Jan afterwards (Jan and I did RTL Boulevard together for a while). Especially the moment he had a little slip of the tongue and his shocking shoulders betrayed a suppressed laugh, and the audience kept clapping to support him, I won't forget quickly. Jan is the man. Really. We'll be back soon for alternate Charly Luske, because he will surely be great too.

7. On a cloud home
I dare to bet all my bags (and I don't do that easily) that everyone who left the hall returned home with a skip in their step. Because it was well organized, everything went smoothly, you were uplifted by the music and the acting, and because you believed again in how beautiful love can be.

When will we go again?

Do you want to? You can buy tickets here.

Image Pretty Woman: William Rutte