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