The Nederlanders invested approximately $1 million in the West End staging of the musical, which is based on the Whitney Houston film of the same name and stars Tony winner Heather Headley as singer Rachel Marron. Although no deal has been made, The Post says that a spring 2014 Broadway opening is the goal.
Headley, who received rave reviews from the London critics for her performance, would also star on Broadway.
In a previous interview with Playbill.com, Headley spoke about the possibility of bringing The Bodyguard to Broadway. "Yes, the ultimate theme is to bring it to Broadway, and I think it will be amazing on Broadway," the former star of Aida said. "It's really good. It's just different… It's a story. It's a play with music. It's almost like a concert with a play around it or a play with a concert around it. And, the way they have woven the songs into the show is slightly genius to me. On one end, you're going to sit there and think, 'Wait. Did Whitney sing the songs after the musical?' Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Which came first, the musical or Whitney's songs? They've woven the songs into the show so well that you will sit there as a music theatre fan, or anybody, and go, 'Of course, that song's supposed to be there. Of course, that's what they would sing.' They really have done a good job with it. And, I'm not just saying that. I'm telling you. Seriously. That's the only reason I'm here."
The Bodyguard, a new musical based on the 1992 Warner Bros. film of the same name that was scripted by Lawrence Kasdan and starred the late Whitney Houston, officially opened at the West End's Adelphi Theatre Dec. 5 following previews that began Nov. 6. Tony winner Headley is making her West End debut in the role created on screen by Ms. Houston.
The production is directed by Thea Sharrock, and also features Lloyd Owen in the role of Frank Farmer, a former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard (Kevin Costner in the film), who is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron (Headley) from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don't expect is to fall in love.
