By Kimberly Harper
“The Bodyguard” is yet another attempt to bring a classic movie to the stage, which is always a risky venture (“Dirty Dancing” was such a train wreck), but in this case, the gamble paid off. It works. Whether you’re familiar with the movie or seeing the story for the first time, you’re going to enjoy this evening of theater immensely.
The story, in a nutshell, is that musical sensation Rachel Marron has it all – loving family, multiple Grammy awards, an Oscar nomination and a creepy stalker who likes to steal her clothes and send her letters. Enter bodyguard Frank Farmer, the best in the business. Their connection is less than stellar at first, but hate can turn to love quickly under strange circumstances.
The storyline itself is a tale as old as time, by this one’s transition to the stage is pretty seamless. The audience gets treated to entire songs, versus snippets, which is a bonus. The writers did not appear to add any original music, which saves us from things like a moody stalker 11 o’clock number or box-stepping house staff. The choreography we do get is entertaining and undertaken by talented individuals who would not be out of place as a superstar’s backup dancers . The costumes are somewhat updated from 80s fabulous – hard to tell, I suppose, when the 80s and 90s have made such a fashion comeback – and there are little references to modern-day technology, including cell phones and photos sent via email “going viral.” It mostly works, if you don’t think too hard about why a superstar like Marron would still be living in a house with physical keys, or why she isn’t being followed by paparazzi and reporters from TMZ. I would have also liked to see a bit more development between Marron’s hatred of Farmer and their inevitable hookup, but it’s a minor quibble.
The talent in the show is unbelievable. Deborah Cox, an acclaimed singer in her own right, doesn’t try to be Whitney Houston. She makes the role and its sound her own, giving it a softer touch with just the right amount of power. Her “I Will Always Love You” and “One Moment in Time” are different, but just as good, as Houston’s. And Jasmin Richardson, who plays Marron’s sister Nicki, is also incredibly talented. Between the two of them, every song is a pleasure to listen to (well, except Farmer’s intentionally horrible karaoke stylings). Speaking of Farmer, Judson Mills is exactly what you need for a handsome, sometimes witty bodyguard who has to struggle to keep professional obligations ahead of his personal feelings for Marron. Finally, Kevelin B. Jones III, who plays Marron’s young son Fletcher, is an astounding talent with a beautiful voice, which we are lucky enough to hear a couple of times during the show and at length during the post-bows dance off.
“The Bodyguard” is everything you want in a screen-to-stage adaptation and doesn’t try to be anything it isn’t. It’s not your traditional musical theater for sure, but that’s exactly why it’s fantastic. Go, you won’t be disappointed.
“The Bodyguard” runs through Sunday at the Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St., Providence. Tickets start at $ 41 and may be obtained at the box office, by calling (401) 421-2787, or online at ppacri.org.
