'The Bodyguard: The Musical' sparks Filipino karaoke nostalgia with Whitney Houston's hits

9 Works Theatrical officially opens Rockwell's new Proscenium Theater with "The Bodyguard: The Musical," a stage adaptation of the 1992 film starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. 

With its famous soundtrack and romantic-thriller plot, the production arrives with plenty of star power and nostalgia to draw in Filipino audiences who grew up singing Houston's hits—songs that have become karaoke staples and wedding slow-dance classics.

Directed by Robbie Guevara, this Manila staging leans heavily on spectacle and familiar melodies. It's big, glossy, and entertaining, but not always emotionally convincing.

The story we know

The musical follows superstar Rachel Marron (Christine Allado), whose fame attracts not only fans but a dangerous stalker (Vien King). Enter Frank Farmer (Matt Blaker), the bodyguard assigned to protect her. Soon, professional boundaries blur, and a romance develops, complicated further by Rachel's sister Nicki (Sheena Lee Palad), who also falls for Frank.

On paper, it's a story rich with drama—fame, jealousy, danger, and forbidden love—but onstage, the emotional depth feels missing. The show moves too quickly from one moment to the next, rarely allowing relationships to breathe. 

Rachel and Nicki's sisterhood, which should ground the story, feels underdeveloped; their rivalry comes without buildup. Likewise, the chemistry between Rachel and Frank never fully lands, leaving the romance flat and unconvincing.

Because the characters are thinly written and introduced abruptly, the later moments that should hit hardest, like Nicki's death, fail to move the audience. Even the stalker, who should draw fear or anger, registers as a narrative afterthought. The story keeps telling us what's at stake, but we rarely feel it.

Powerhouse vocals and nostalgic highs

If the storytelling falters, the singing does not. Christine Allado commands the stage with powerful, precise vocals that honor Whitney Houston without resorting to imitation. 

Her renditions of "Run to You" and "I Will Always Love You" bring the audience to quiet awe, reminding everyone why Houston's songs endure.

Sheena Lee Palad matches her in vocal strength, her tone warm and full of soul. Their duets create some of the show's most satisfying musical moments.

Still, the structure of the show makes it hard to stay emotionally engaged. Dialogue scenes often give way to full-length performances, making the musical feel more like a concert than a story. Each song might be staged with polish, but the pacing drags, with energy dropping between numbers. It's easy to get swept up in the nostalgia and the music, but hard to connect with the characters behind the voices.

The young actor playing Rachel's son, Fletcher, adds warmth and authenticity. His scenes with Allado are among the few that feel genuinely tender, a small emotional anchor in an otherwise high-gloss production.

Not all transitions blend smoothly, though. Some supporting roles come off awkward or underplayed, and a few scene changes disrupt the show's rhythm.

Meanwhile, the Proscenium Theater itself is a visual treat—sleek, modern, and acoustically sharp. Mio Infante's scenic design and GA Fallarme's projections create a glamorous concert atmosphere that fits Rachel Marron's world. Shakira Villa-Symes' lighting and Arnold Trinidad's choreography add polish and rhythm, especially in ensemble numbers that showcase tight coordination and flair.

For the fans who still dance with somebody

Director Guevara said this production isn't aimed at Gen Z but at millennials and older fans—those who grew up with Whitney Houston and the original film. That much is clear.

The audience I saw it with was full of titos and titas, quietly swaying to "I Wanna Dance with Somebody." And for them, the show works—it's nostalgic, familiar, and fun.

"The Bodyguard: The Musical" delivers strong vocals and impressive visuals but falls short in emotional storytelling. It's a polished production that entertains more than it moves.

As an opening act for the new Proscenium Theater, it's a glittery and safe choice, one that celebrates Whitney Houston's legacy through powerhouse voices and timeless hits.

For Filipinos who grew up belting out her songs on karaoke or soundtracking love stories with her ballads, the show hits a sweet spot of memory and music. You may not leave deeply affected, but you'll leave humming, smiling, and fighting the urge to sing and dance with "I Wanna Dance with Somebody."

Running from September 26 to October 19, 2025, the show plays at the Proscenium at Rockwell in Makati City, with ticket prices ranging from P4,120 to P6,695. It runs for about two hours and 30 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission. —MGP, GMA Integrated News