42 | OCTOBER 28 • 2021

J

ust six months ago, Becca
Suskauer was doing hybrid
learning as a senior about to
graduate from Penn State with a BFA
in musical theatre. She was submitting
self-taped video auditions online, as is
the new pandemic norm for actors, and
making challah over Facetime with her
mom back in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.,
where Suskauer grew up. For Suskauer,
the self-proclaimed “Jewess” will tell
you that it’s beshert that she’s cast in
the national tour of Pretty Woman: The
Musical, one of the first Broadway shows
to resume on tour during the pandemic.
“It truly is a dream come true and
the definition of surreal,” says Suskauer,
22, who is an ensemble member and
understudies the lead role of Vivian
Ward, played by Julia Roberts in the
movie of the same name.
Pretty Woman: The Musical is based
on the ultimate rom-com film classic
that starred Roberts and Richard Gere
(Adam Pascal plays Gere’s role of
Edward Lewis on tour). Its production

dream team includes Paula Wagner,
Garry Marshall, Jerry Mitchell, Bryan
Adams, Jim Vallance and J.F. Lawton.
Rehearsals for the tour started in
September in New York City. Detroit’s
Fisher Theatre will be the third stop
from Nov. 2-14.
“It is so cool to look out at the
audience from on stage and see every
single seat filled with someone who is
so excited to be there and to be a part
of this shared collective experience. I
am so grateful to be a part of bringing
theater back,” says Suskauer who also
plays Edward’s ex-girlfriend Susan.
Though Suskauer admits that she
only saw Pretty Woman the movie for
the first time earlier this year, she
credits her mother, Michelle Suskauer, a
criminal defense attorney, for instilling
a love for classic films and musical
theater in her two daughters. Becca’s
sister, Talia, 25, also graduated from
Penn State with a BFA in musical
theater and is simultaneously on the
national Broadway tour of Wicked,

starring as Elphaba.
“My mom is an incredible Jewish
woman who is also the past president
of the Florida Bar,” says Suskauer,
whose dad, Scott Suskauer, is a Palm
Beach County Circuit Court Judge. “My
parents never questioned our dreams

ARTS&LIFE
MUSICAL

New grad Becca Suskauer tours
with Pretty Woman: The Musical.
On The Road

JULIE SMITH YOLLES CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A scene from the
current production
of Pretty Woman:
The Musical

BROADWAY IN DETROIT

Becca
Suskauer