Directed by Thea Sharrock, the national tour of the new musical The Bodyguard — based on the film of the same name — opens December 4 at 7 PM following previews that began November 25 at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ, prior to an official tour opening at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, MN, January 10, 2017.
Deborah Cox plays Rachel, the role originated in the film by Whitney Houston, with Judson Mills as Frank Farmer, Alex Corrado (Gotham, Hannibal) as Rachel's security guard Tony Scibelli, Charles Gray (Broadway: The Color Purple, Grease) as manager Bill Devaney, Jonathan Hadley (Broadway: Jersey Boys, A Class Act) as publicist Sy Spector, Jorge Paniagua as the Stalker, Jasmin Richardson as Rachel’s sister Nicki Marron, and Douglas Baldeo and Kevelin B. Jones III, who will alternate in the role of Rachel’s son Fletcher.
The ensemble includes Arielle Campbell, Brendon Chan, Willie Dee, Jarid Faubel, Megan Elyse Fulmer, Emily Jenda, Alejandra Matos, Bradford Rahmlow, Benjamin Rivera, Sean Rozanski, Matthew Schmidt, Jaquez André Sims, Maria Cristina Slye, Lauren Tanner, and Naomi C. Walley.
The musical is described thus: “Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love.”
Based on Lawrence Kasden’s 1992 Oscar-nominated Warner Bros. film and adapted by Academy Award winner Alexander Dinelaris, The Bodyguard had its world premiere December 5, 2012, at London’s Adelphi Theatre. A cast recording, featuring Alexandra Burke, was recently released in the U.S. by First Night Records/R.E.D.
The tour has set and costume design by Tim Hatley, lighting design by Mark Henderson, sound design by Richard Brooker, and video design by Duncan McLean. Hair, wig, and makeup design are by Campbell Young Associates. Choreography is by Karen Bruce, with orchestrations by Chris Egan, musical supervision by Richard Beadle, and production musical supervision by Mike Dixon. Musical director Matthew Smedal conducts the live orchestra. The production stage manager is Melissa Chacón.
Paper Mill Playhouse, in association with Michael Harrison, David Ian and Nederlander Presentations, Inc., presents the North American premiere. Performances at the Paper Mill continue through January 1, 2017.
For additional information, visit www.papermill.org.
(Updated December 4, 2016)
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