'Pretty Woman' musical coming to MSU

By Chloe Gregg
Associate Editor

“Pretty Woman: The Musical” is coming to the Wharton Center at Michigan State University this month.

The play is based on the classic Julia Roberts and Richard Gere movie, “Pretty Woman,” about a star-crossed love between a prostitute and a wealthy man. This adaptation follows the same tale but with a new twist: music!

The musical will be staged from Tuesday, Dec. 13 to Sunday, Dec. 18 at the Wharton Center, located at 750 E. Shaw Lane in East Lansing. Tickets range in price from $39 to $95, making it a great-date night gift for this holiday season.

Matthew Stocke, the actor playing Philip Stuckey in “Pretty Woman: The Musical,” has had 30 years of acting experience, most of that time spent in New York City. Originally growing up as a baseball player in Pittsburgh, Stocke fell into acting spontaneously in 1990 and has not looked back since.

Philip Stuckey, Stocke’s character, is the antagonist in the film. Stuckey disapproved of the feelings brewing between Vivian and Edward, and Stocke said he is no different in the musical.

“When they sent the tour out, they asked me if I wanted to (play Philip Stuckey) and I jumped at it,” Stocke said. “I refer to it as a ‘delicious’ part to play. I very seldomly get to play the bad guy in my career, and I really love it.”

Stocke said he graduated the year the movie came out in 1990, and was able to see its effect on the masses.

“How could you not be (a fan)?” Stocke said. “The songs were all over the radio. And over the last 32 years, still if you turn your TV on over the weekend, (‘Pretty Woman’) will be on somewhere. It stands the test of time. We attempt to do it justice every day on stage.”

For more information, tickets, or show times, visit the Wharton Center’s website here.

Matthew Stocke (below)

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