It's officially opened, after months of prep and rehearsals – the David Ian-produced stage musical at the Adelphi Theatre on London's West End, as Brits are getting their first look at the entire production.
We already told you about the planned remake, as well as a stage musical adaptation of the 1992 film, The Bodyguard, which starred Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston.
Regarding the stage musical adaptation, last September we announced Tony and Grammy award winner Heather Headley's casting to star in the role originated by Whitney Houston on film, aiming for a fall 2012 debut, with an eventual Broadway run likely.
Thea Sharrock (Equus with Daniel Radcliffe) is directing.
As already noted in previous posts, the death of Whitney Houston probably gives every upcoming project that she was ever associated with or connect to in any way, a much higher profile, suddenly taking on even more significance, and we're betting Heather Headley is fully aware of this.
Headley's past stage credits include, among other shows, the title role in Aida, for which she won the 2000 Tony.
The story again goes: When arrogant and domineering musical superstar (played by Whitney Houston in the film, and now to be played by Headley in the stage musical) begins receiving death threats, she hires a bodyguard. Enter an ex-Secret Service agent with his own demons, and his unpopular, stringent security measures. Inevitably, Costner and Houston fall in love, and some other predictable drama ensues.
Reports have said that this musical stage version of The Bodyguard isn’t just repeating the film. Instead, playwright Alex Dinelarius has written a work that isn’t a word-for-word copycat of the picture. Plus, several other numbers associated with Houston, such as I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me), and, as you'll hear in the video below, So Emotional, will be used in the show.
The 1992 film grossed over $400 million worldwide at the box office.
Below you'll find the show's official trailer/preview; and also check out the glossy new poster, which includes a listing of some of the songs Headley performs in the show:
