Review: THE BODYGUARD THE MUSICAL at Umeda Art Theater

THE BODYGUARD THE MUSICAL : The worldwide smash hit film "THE BODYGUARD," starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston, is brought to the stage. May J., who participated in NHK's “Kohaku Uta Gassen（紅白歌合戦）”, portrays the singer Rachel, a role originally played by Whitney in the movie, alongside Seiko Niizuma in a double cast. The show features numerous hit songs, including the Grammy-winning "I Will Always Love You" and the iconic "I Wanna Dance with Somebody," familiar from the movie. Ryohei Otani, known for his solid acting in films and dramas, takes on the role of the bodyguard protecting Rachel, delivering a grand romantic suspense musical adorned with well-known melodies. After the main performance, there's a showtime where the entire cast interacts with the audience, creating an electric atmosphere together.

Rachel (May J.) is a superstar aiming for an Oscar. Living with her son and sister Nicki (AKANE LIV), she becomes aware of the lurking shadow of a stalker (Shotaro Okubo). Frank, the bodyguard, is assigned to protect Rachel, but faces her resistance due to feeling restrained. However, after Rachel disregards Frank's advice and finds herself in a dangerous situation during a live performance one night, she develops deep gratitude and trust towards him. As Rachel tries to get closer to Frank, he prioritizes his mission to protect his client and tries to keep his distance. Misunderstandings arise between them, and danger looms even closer...

The stage darkens, and a gunshot echoes. Under the spotlight in the darkness, it is revealed that Frank fired the shot. This shocking opening scene depicts Frank's past, resonating throughout the audience.

Meanwhile, Rachel, portrayed by May J., appears with dancers, performing "Queen Of The Night" in a military-themed stage costume. Her powerful vocals and energetic dance moves are befitting of a superstar. Continuing, Rachel performs "How Will I Know," blending in a colorful and sporty line dance with the dancers. Frank then appears, and the two meet.

Still not fully trusting Frank, Rachel, under a solitary spotlight, plays and sings "Greatest Love Of All" on the piano, expressing her feelings of loneliness. In this powerful yet beautiful performance, audience can feel her destiny and determination of a star overflowing within her.

One night, Rachel insists on attending a performance despite Frank's concerns about the stalker's danger, and passionately sings "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" on stage. Suddenly, the scene goes dark, and the stalker slowly approaches Rachel in slow motion, synchronized with her heartbeat. The tension in the audience rises as the suspenseful scene unfolds. The lights come back on, and Rachel continues singing and dancing, oblivious to the danger. Once again, the scene goes dark, and the stalker inches closer to Rachel on stage, finally lunging towards her. Pushing through the crowd, Frank rushes to Rachel's side, carrying her in his arms and protecting her. This iconic scene from "THE BODYGUARD" is expertly recreated with lighting and sound effects.

As Rachel begins to open up to Frank, she sings "Run To You," expressing her feelings for him. May J.'s beautiful and powerful high notes send shivers down the spine. Similarly, Nikki's singing, who also harbors feelings for him, is filled with sorrowfulness.

In a bar scene, Rachel sings " I Have Nothing" to Frank from close range, expressing her emotions while looking directly at him. As the bar set gradually disappears, leaving only the two of them, the intimate atmosphere between Rachel and Frank is depicted. During the chorus, Rachel switches to a handheld microphone, delivering her song to the audience. This direction ensures that the beloved songs are delivered with precision, not disappointing the audience's expectations.

Aware of the risks, Rachel attends the Academy Awards ceremony, believing that Frank will protect her. As the curtain rises at the back of the stage, the orchestra, playing live, is revealed. Clad in a silver dress befitting the grandest stage, Rachel's rendition of "One Moment In Time" was truly breathtaking. All eyes in the venue were focused on May J. Her powerful vocals symbolized Rachel's unwavering strength. The overwhelming intensity held the audience spellbound, giving them goosebumps.

A red laser pointer of a gun sight aims at Rachel. A stalker lurking among the audience disguised as a security guard, targeting Rachel. Despite being shot while shielding Rachel, Frank identifies the perpetrator and returns fire. The heart-stopping climax is so intense and compelling that there are too many highlights to see.

At a later date, Rachel and Frank decided to go their separate ways for each other's sake. Sharing a kiss, Rachel bid farewell, saying, "Goodbye, Frank Farmer.” Her departure was linked to the lyrics of "I Will Always Love You" that she began singing a cappella. Her casual outfit, different from the flashy stage costumes, displays Rachel's true feelings for Frank. “We both know I’m not what you need," she sang with poignant Japanese lyrics, making me feeling a piercing ache in my heart, tears welling up before I knew it.

For the curtain call, the cast returns for a showtime, performing "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" with the entire ensemble. The vibrant lighting, audience's glow sticks, and applause fill the venue with smiles. May J. and Ryohei, holding hands, exit the stage with smiles, symbolizing Rachel and Frank's continued affection despite being apart.

"THE BODYGUARD THE MUSICAL" offers a mesmerizing experience with its overwhelming vocals and live orchestral performances, while also delivering thrilling scenes filled with tension brought by the lurking stalker. The excellent balance between romance and suspense is truly remarkable. Moreover, Ryohei's tall stature and deep voice perfectly suit the role, adding a sense of sophistication. A must-see for Whitney Houston fans as well as enthusiasts of the original work, "THE BODYGUARD THE MUSICAL” has become a highly anticipated production for its outstanding performance quality, prompting desires for future runs.

[Photo by Chisato Oka]

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