The musical was packed with iconic songs and yet it captured the suspense of a thriller as a deranged fan attempted to get close to the superstar. The play successfully jockeyed between Marron's concerts and the creepy stalker which gave us punches of music and the feeling of apprehension and excitement of a thriller from the start to the finish (watch here).
Reflection
The musical opened with the bang of gun shots which occurred when secret
service agent, Farmer failed to protect a congressman. Then
we were the audience at Marron's concert as the stage
exploded with Queen of the Night complete with buffed dancers and some
pyrotechnics.
This musical worked because of the vocal talent of R&B/Pop recording artist, Debora Cox as Marron and Jasmin Richardson as Marron's sister. Both had powerful vocal ranges and the clarity that could successfully tackle the demanding songs which were made popular by Whitney Houston.
It was as if Whitney Houston was reincarnated on stage as we listened to one hit after another (Greatest Love of All, I’m Every Women, Run
to You, Saving All My Love For You, So Emotional and more). I was transported back to the 90’s as I remembered
singing these songs that dominated the radio. I think many in the audience were
right back there with me because everyone seemed to be singing!
When Farmer rescued Marron from the stalker's knife and lifted her to safety like her “knight in shining armor”, I thought, “I need a guy like
that ”! We were hooked on the romance when they passionately kissed during their first date. Marron then sang I Have Nothing on a star filled stage. I know it sounds a bit “cheesy” but it worked, or at least it did for me.
that ”! We were hooked on the romance when they passionately kissed during their first date. Marron then sang I Have Nothing on a star filled stage. I know it sounds a bit “cheesy” but it worked, or at least it did for me.
We all waited for "the song" that came at the end. That triumphant
masterful Huston hit, I Will Always Love You was powerful. Deborah Cox hit it right on the
mark. You could feel the energy from the audience as the first few notes were played. My friend leaned over to me and asked, “what’s everyone yelling about”.
I answered with excitement, “she is going to sing THE SONG”!
After the story line concluded, the entire cast reentered with I Want to Dance With Somebody and everyone in the audience was on their feet celebrating. The Bodyguard kept punching with
music and thriller excitement but the best few punches were saved for the end!
The PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series is definitely going
to stay in my life survival tool box . Don’t miss the last few shows Waitress , Rent and Cinderella.
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust https://trustarts.org/
I Have Nothing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDAQG5JRBzc
I Will Always Love You