The Bodyguard

Deborah Cox

Two gunshots ring out as the house lights go out and the audience gasps…and so begins Broadway Philadelphia’s presentation of the hit musical The Bodyguard, presented by The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and The Shubert Organization. From this dramatic opening to the fabulous dance party after the curtain call, there is never a static moment. Well-known television star Judson Mills portrays the Bodyguard, Frank Farmer, who is hired to protect Rachael from a stalker. Much-acclaimed recording star and actress Deborah Cox wows the audience as Rachael Marron, a celebrity preparing for her Academy Award appearance. Jasmin Richardson portrays Rachael’s sister Nicki. Nicki lives in her sister’s shadow but her remarkable voice certainly does not.  Not only is the score memorable and sung phenomenally by both Ms Cox and  Ms.Richardson, the staging throughout the production is magnificent. The creative team has many awards to their credit and The Bodyguard is the beneficiary of all of them. The sound effects are startling; the projections shown on the screen allow for a magical costume change as Deborah Cox disappears for a few seconds while singing;  and lighting on intermittent sections of the set give the effect of 3-D arches with changing colors. Perhaps the most stunning visual effect of all is Rachael’s appearance at the Academy Awards Ceremony where she seems to be singing between golden columns in front of a huge replica of an Oscar. It is not only the principal players that make this production extraordinary. The high energy ensemble is a treat for toe-tappiing feet. Rachael’s son, Fletcher, is double-cast because of his age. I saw Douglas Baldeo who already has several shows to his credit and certainly will add many more. This young man is athletic; can sing, dance and act! This show is a non-stop wonder, an incredible production. Run; don’t walk to the box office at the Kimmel Center or visit online at www.kimmelcenter.org.  to see if there are tickets available for the remaining performances.  The show will be performed at the Academy of Music through Sunday, February 26, with two performances on Saturday and Sunday.