Flor Peña keeps shining, now starring in Pretty Woman
With a career spanning over three decades, Florencia Peña has proven herself to be a versatile artist, effortlessly navigating comedy, drama, television, film, and especially in recent years, the world of musicals. Her versatility and stage presence have made her one of the leading figures in the genre in Argentina. Following the overwhelming success of Mamma Mia!, Flor returns to Avenida Corrientes to portray Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman: The Musical — the iconic character Julia Roberts made famous on screen, now brought to life anew in musical form.
In this interview, Flor talks about her passion for musicals, the contrasts between her recent works, her perspective on the genre in Argentina, and the role of women in a field that, while growing, still has battles to fight.
You just starred in Mamma Mia! with great success, and now you're stepping into the role of Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman. What attracted you to this new character, and what challenges did you face moving from such a festive musical to a story with more romantic and dramatic tones?
I think what I like the most is diversifying myself, trying new things. Especially since this is the first time I'm doing two musicals so close together. So I said, 'What character can I choose or what can I do that's different from before?' Mamma Mia! had a more matriarchal energy — she's a mother who chooses to be a single mom, a strong woman running her business, her hotel. Vivian, the character in Pretty Woman, is a loser, a woman who has a job she doesn't like and wants to get out of it. So they are very different. Also, this new project requires me to sing much more difficult songs. So, well, I'm doing something different from what I had been doing.
"I like to diversify myself"
In recent years we've seen you increasingly involved in musicals. What did this format do for you? Do you feel you discovered something new about yourself as an actress or singer?
I have been doing musicals for a long time, and it has always been the genre that fulfilled me the most. I have done a lot of theater, but honestly, not every musical made me want to get on stage and perform. Recently, with Cabaret, Mamma Mia! and Pretty Woman — the last three musicals I did — I really felt excited to perform them, so yes, I'm happy.
How do you see the musical scene in Argentina today? Do you feel the audience supports musicals more than before, or is it still a genre that has to earn its place?
I think people support it much more now than before. I believe there's a boom in musicals that didn't exist before; people are understanding the musical code more and are turning to this genre. So yes, I think musicals are having a good moment.
"There's now a boom in musicals that didn't exist before"
Do you have anything lined up after Pretty Woman? Do you want to keep doing musicals, or are you eager to try something else?
I have the rights for Chicago, so that's what I'll be doing next. I wish they weren't so close together, but sometimes you get the rights for a certain time and you have to use them, so next is Chicago, and after that I'll take a break from musicals. Chicago is my dream! I've already done two shows by the American choreographer Bob Fosse: Sweet Charity, Cabaret, and now I'll do Chicago. I think I'm going to be the only actress in the world to have done the Fosse trilogy, so I'm happy.
"I think I'm going to be the only actress in the world to have done the Fosse trilogy, so I'm happy"
Throughout your career, you've broken molds across different genres. In the Argentine musical world, how do you see the role of actresses today? Do you feel there's more space and prominence for women, or are there still barriers to overcome?
I think in theater we have more space. Obviously, with leads — women versus men — it's often the case that men always get paid better or that when there's a man and a woman, the man always goes first. Except in the case of Juan Ingaramo — my co-star in Pretty Woman — who is a newcomer; otherwise, the man always goes first on the left. But well, I've understood those things. I fight for my place; I'm an actress who stars a lot, so I can't complain. I've earned my place, and in theater, I've earned the respect of my peers and good reviews, so I consider myself a very respected theater lead. I'm happy.
"I consider myself a very respected theater lead"
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