(Cover Photo: Brooke Bailey as “Rachel Marron” with Jonathan Blansfield as “Frank Farmer" in a moment from the musical adaptation of  "THE BODYGUARD" now playing at The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester, MA. from November 6 through November 8, 2026. Photo Courtesy of the tour and Hanover Theatre)

By Kevin T. Baldwin

METRMAG Reviewer

# 774-242-6724

"I've spent a lot of time guarding people all over the world, and I've found one thing to be true - no matter how incompetent the assassins, no matter how much they miss their target, there's always one person who always gets hit." 

- ("Frank Farmer") /  Lawrence Kasdan, Alexander Dinelaris

The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts

Presents the Musical 

"THE BODYGUARD"

Limited Engagement!

Book by Alexander Dinelaris

Orchestrations and Additional Music by Chris Egan

Musical Supervisor and Additional Vocal Arrangements by Richard Beadle

Based on the 1992 Warner Bros. film “The Bodyguard” Screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan

Directed by Samantha Saltzman

Choreographer Jim Cooney

Music Supervisor Darryl Archibald 

Cast Includes: Brooke Bailey as “Rachel Marron,” Jonathan Blansfield as “Frank Farmer,” Erica Burkett as “Rachel Marron–Alternate,” Andrea Simpson as “Nicki Marron,” Keyshawn Brian Steele as “Tony Scibelli,” Anthony S. Goolsby as “Bill Devaney,” Ethan Hall as “Stalker,” Riki Stevens as “Sy Spector, Ensemble,” Carmelo Kelly as “Fletcher,” Shiloh Prendergast as “Fletcher.” 

Ensemble: Cedric Jamaal Greene, Cydney Heard, Tanner Jarrett Kirol, Joe Love, Lucy Mangion, Yurika Ono, Camal Pugh, Courtney Genoveva Saffold.

Swing: Samantha Scott, Scott Willits.

Additional Creative Team:

Scenic Design - Christine Peters; Lighting Design - Craig Stelzenmuller; Sound Design - Josh Reid; Costume Design - Whitney Locher; Hair and Wig Design - Liz Printz; Casting Director - Casting by ARC, Jarrett Reiche.

(Note: Information obtained from tour website and subject to change)

Performances:

November 6, 2026 through November 8, 2026 

(Contact Box Office for Exact Times) 

Presented at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge Street, Worcester, MA.

TICKETS:

For More Information visit: thehanovertheatre.org

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COVID 19 PROTOCOLS

Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.

(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)

The official tour for the Whitney Houston jukebox musical "THE BODYGUARD" leaps onto stage at The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester for one weekend only. 

This is an entertaining musical that isn’t perfect, but the highs definitely outnumber the lows and, if you are a Whitney Houston admirer, there are plenty of her hits here to enjoy.   

"THE BODYGUARD" musical is based on the 1992 film of the same name with some noticeable differences which audiences should view with fresh eyes. 

Jukebox musicals as a genre always get treated as the poor cousin of full original concept musicals. 

This musical is an example of why, as none of the songs truly advances the plot.

There are many unrelated songs that may represent an emotion, but lyrically provide nothing of substance to the story and are "shoe-horned in" solely to appease Houston fans.

While "THE BODYGUARD" musical adaptation has done some impressive box office business globally wowing audiences, some critics were not always kind to the book of the show (by Alexander Dinelaris), for reasons which become painfully obvious less than three minutes into the show. 

The musical, which came shortly after the singer’s death, had some Houston songs written specifically for the movie. 

However, the musical now playing at The Hanover Theatre instead comes fully loaded with almost all of Houston’s biggest hits including “I’m Every Woman,” “One Moment in Time,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” “How Will I Know” and her smash remake of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” 

The Houston-fronted numbers made specifically for the movie (also featured in the musical adaptation) include “I’m Every Woman,” “Jesus Loves Me,” “Queen of the Night,” “I Have Nothing” and “Run To You.” 

A few of the songs are used in medleys most likely to ensure they at least get a slight nod to appease the more ardent Houston fans. 

(Photo: Brooke Bailey as “Rachel Marron” performing with the CAST of the musical adaptation of  "THE BODYGUARD" now playing at The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester, MA. from November 6 through November 8, 2026. Photo Courtesy of the tour and Hanover Theatre)

"THE BODYGUARD" musical began previews and officially opened in London's West End in 2012, opening to marginally positive reviews from critics. 

Much of the criticism praised the music but saw the Dinelaris script as bland, feeling the show would have been better served as a legit Whitney Houston tribute concert than a jukebox musical. 

That assessment is 100 percent correct, but it did not stop the audience at the November 6^th Hanover Theatre performance from having a great time. 

Similarly, the original movie upon which the musical is based was also never a critics darling yet did booming box office business. 

In 2013, the show did receive four nominations by the Laurence Olivier Awards, including one nomination for Best New Musical. 

While never advancing to Broadway, "THE BODYGUARD" fared well in London with extended performances, and since closing in 2013 the musical has toured all over the globe to nearly sold-out audiences. 

(Photo: Jonathan Blansfield as “Frank Farmer" bodyguards Brooke Bailey as “Rachel Marron” in the musical adaptation of  "THE BODYGUARD" now playing at The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester, MA. from November 6 through November 8, 2026. Photo Courtesy of the tour and Hanover Theatre)

Using the original screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan, Dinelaris’ musical adaptation brings the story forward to present day.

While there are a couple of impressive looking sets, much of the set design has kept things minimal to help with easier transitions.

However, the massive scope in size of a few of these sets occasionally makes the performers look "small" by comparison, as if they could easily disappear into the background. 

Dinelaris also changes the focus of the story to center on the Houston character of Rachel Marron instead of "THE BODYGUARD"…already a problem considering the title. 

Dispensing with any overture, the musical cold opens with the song "Queen of the Night" as we are introduced to Rachel Marron (Brooke Bailey), a singing icon unaware that a stalker has been sending her deranged and disturbing death threats. 

Bailey delivers the goods as superstar Rachel, who continues to perform while her manager searches for a BODYGUARD  that can protect her. 

Jonathan Blansfield is quite appealing as Frank Farmer, the former Secret Service Agent hired to serve as Rachel's BODYGUARD. 

Frank manages to get into Rachel's mansion without needing any clearance and explains that security needs to be heightened, but Rachel is oblivious to her stalker's threatening notes and believes that she is perfectly safe. 

Frank watches as Rachel rehearses a video to her song "How Will I Know" as her young ten-year-old son Fletcher (played in alternating performances by Carmelo Kelly and Shiloh Prendergast) looks on. 

(Photo: Brooke Bailey as “Rachel Marron” with Jonathan Blansfield as “Frank Farmer" in a moment from the musical adaptation of  "THE BODYGUARD" now playing at The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester, MA. from November 6 through November 8, 2026. Photo Courtesy of the tour and Hanover Theatre)

Afterward, Frank is introduced to Rachel's existing BODYGUARD, Tony (Keyshawn Brian Steele), who believes that he is good enough and that Rachel doesn't need Frank to protect her. 

Frank takes on the job after much persuasion, and installs more security features at Rachel's mansion. As he does, Fletcher and Frank become friends, with Fletcher seeing Frank as a fatherly figure, which irks Rachel…at first. 

Meanwhile, Rachel's music producer Sy (Riki Stevens), pressures Rachel to take on multiple gigs, unwittingly maneuvering Rachel toward impending danger. 

Given the fine performances by Stevens, Prendergast and Steele at the November 6^th performance, their respective characters could all have been expanded slightly to allow more layers to their contributions to the story. 

When they are featured, their characters do work to elevate the material greatly and provide additional points of view as the story unfolds.

Rachel is observed sitting working on her new song "Greatest Love of All" with her sister, Nicki (Andrea Simpson). 

Simpson is outstanding as the tragic figure of Nicki, who is attracted to Frank when he unexpectedly observes her performing at a nightclub to the tune of “Saving All My Love for You.” 

The above "scene" is emblematic of the overall problem with the musical's book as it is approximately five minutes in length and virtually NOTHING happens dramatically. 

Nicki sings, two couples dance, and Frank observes. 

That's it.

And while Simpson knocks the song out of the park, no question - story wise, it still feels like five minutes of your life you won't get back.

Between the vocal performances of Bailey and Simpson, the Whitney Houston catalog and legacy is well-represented on this musical tour now at The Hanover Theatre.

(Photo: Brooke Bailey as “Rachel Marron” in a moment from the musical adaptation of  "THE BODYGUARD" now playing at The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester, MA. from November 6 through November 8, 2026. Photo Courtesy of the tour and Hanover Theatre)

During a gig, Rachel's stalker (Ethan Hall) prepares to kill her. 

Hall as the stalker is quite effective, and it makes one consider that if Dinelaris had instead taken the approach of seeing the musical’s events through the POV of the stalker, it may have made for a far more interesting story. 

As the relationship of Frank and Rachel evolves, this is where the story works best and where the two actors share great chemistry on stage.

The couple attends a karaoke bar which is undoubtedly the most enjoyable scene in the entire musical, especially as it teases us with a snippet of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” which is performed in its entirety by the finale. 

There is a lot to admire in the performances, especially with the supporting dance ensemble which isn’t given a lot of dance numbers in which to perform but, when they do, they simply kill it. 

(Photo: Brooke Bailey as “Rachel Marron” in a moment from the musical adaptation of  "THE BODYGUARD" now playing at The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester, MA. from November 6 through November 8, 2026. Photo Courtesy of the tour and Hanover Theatre)

In the end, the main reason to see "THE BODYGUARD" is the fabulous performance given by Brooke Bailey, who not only wears the Houston crown well, but is on her way to becoming a major player in her own right.

A word of caution to those who cannot stand audiences that sing along with the majority of songs in a jukebox musical - brace yourselves - for it WILL happen. 

An additional tip: If you enjoy the songs in "THE BODYGUARD," then sit tight through the curtain call, as immediately following the final bows, the entire cast performs a spectacular rendition of “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” which will have everyone on their feet dancing.

"THE BODYGUARD" plays at The Hanover Theatre in Worcester from November 6th through November 8th, 2026. For More Information contact The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester.

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Approximately two hours, 30 minutes with one intermission.

Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)

@MetrmagReviews

@Theatre_Critics

ABOUT THE SHOW

The international, award-winning smash-hit "THE BODYGUARD" based on the 1992 film starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, is a thrilling, romantic musical that combines high-stakes suspense with unforgettable music. 

Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard Frank Farmer is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. 

Both expect to be in charge of their situation – what they don’t expect is to fall in love.  

(Video: The musical adaptation of  "THE BODYGUARD" is at The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester, MA. from November 6 through November 8, 2026. Courtesy of the tour and Hanover Theatre)

A “BRILLIANT” (The Times), breathtakingly romantic thriller, "THE BODYGUARD" features a whole host of unforgettable classics including “Queen of the Night,” “So Emotional,” “I Will Always Love You,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” “Saving All My Love,” and “One Moment in Time,” alongside thrilling plot twists and emotional drama. 

"THE BODYGUARD" is an electrifying combination of romance, suspense, and chart-topping music that will captivate audiences from start to finish.

For More Information visit: thehanovertheatre.org

BUY TICKETS

ABOUT HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Worcester Center for Performing Arts is a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which owns and operates HANOVER THEATRE AND CONSERVATORY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

2 Southbridge Street

Worcester, MA. 01608