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Manila is about to witness a dazzling homecoming.
Christine Allado, the internationally acclaimed Filipina performer who made her mark in London’s West End and global concert halls, is set to return to the Philippine stage as Rachel Marron in 9 Works Theatrical’s staging of “The Bodyguard: The Musical”—a bold, music-packed reimagining of the 1992 film of the same name that catapulted Whitney Houston into cinematic legend.
Set to the timeless hits “I Will Always Love You,” “I Have Nothing,” and “Run to You,” The Bodyguard: The Musical” tells the gripping story of a superstar under threat and the unlikely romance that unfolds between her and her bodyguard.
The production is set to open on September 26 at The Proscenium Theater in Rockwell Center, Makati City. It marks the first-ever theatrical venture of the property group, signaling its entry into the world of performing arts.
Allado has long carried the Filipino flag across world stages, having played Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds in “Hamilton’s” original West End cast to headlining “In The Heights” and “The Prince of Egypt,” which earned her a nomination at the Grammy Awards.
Now, she will bring the same world-class presence home, ready to channel the strength, vulnerability, and vocal firepower that the role of Rachel Marron demands.
“It’s a full-circle moment. To bring this kind of production to Manila and portray a role made iconic by Whitney Houston, in front of my kababayans, is deeply meaningful," she said.
No stranger to the Philippines, Allado, the daughter of lawyer Jojo Allado and Letty Guevara, was born and raised in Manila. She had studied theater at the University of the Philippines and undergone workshops with Trumpets Playshop where she acted in “Hairspray,” “Phantom of the Opera,” and the longest running Filipino musical, “Joseph The Dreamer,”
Like many actors looking for greener pastures, she moved to Hong Kong to work at Hong Kong Disneyland, then migrated to London to study at the Royal Academy of Music, where she earned her Masters in musical theater in 2013.
Allado has since performed in sold-out concerts with Andrea Bocelli across Europe and Asia, to co-starring with Lea Salonga and Bernadette Peters in the West End run of “Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends,” among many others. She currently stars as Meat in West End’s production of “We Will Rock You.” This year, she’s also set to lead the West End premiere of “Jo: Little Women The Musical.”
On Instagram Friday, 9 Works Theatrical posted a video of Allado singing “I Will Always Love You,” one of Houston’s signature songs used in the film and the musical.
However, as early as February, Allado had posted on Instagram a video of her singing “I Have Nothing,” in what she dubbed a rehearsal for a concert in Mexico. The song is among Houston’s top hits that was also used in the film and musical.
A long time coming
In an interview with GMA News Online, “The Bodyguard: The Musical” director Robbie Guevara shared they got the rights for the musical as early as 2019 for 9 Works Theatrical’s 2020 season.
The COVID-19 pandemic, however, put everything on hold.
Santi Santamaria, managing director and executive producer of 9 Works Theatrical, added, “[It’s] a long time coming, this show.”
In the past, 9 Works Theatrical has staged other award-winning musicals, including "Grease," "La Cage aux Folles," and "Tick, Tick... Boom!." In 2024, the company staged "Rent," and "Once on This Island," followed by "Liwanag sa Dilim" earlier this year.
According to Guevara, he first saw "The Bodyguard" musical in one of its West End runs after it premiered at Adelphi Theater in London in December 2012, while he saw the film version in a movie house in 1992.
He added that his favorite song from the film and musical is Houston’s “I Have Nothing.”
“I love all of Whitney’s popular songs, so I enjoyed it. I wasn’t a huge fan, but I didn’t dislike [the film] naman,” he shared.
He also mentioned there are no more auditions for the musical’s other roles, “All done na.”
As for the actor who would play Frank Farmer in the local production (Kevin Costner played him in the film), Guevara remained tight-lipped, noting that it will be revealed soon.
Aside from Guevara, “The Bodyguard: The Musical” creative team is composed of Arnold Trinidad as choreographer, Mio Infante as scenographer, Daniel Bartolome as musical director, and Shakira Villa-Symes as lighting designer.
“The usual team,” he said, whose recent directorial job was the original Filipino musical “Liwanag Sa Dilim.”
For now, theater fans can look forward to seeing Allado in the landmark musical featuring Houston’s other hits like “One Moment In Time,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” “I'm Every Woman,” “Run to You,” “How Will I Know,” “Queen of the Night,” “Saving All My Love for You,” and “Greatest Love of All.”
With tickets now available at premier.ticketworld.com.ph, theater fans and music lovers alike have the rare chance to witness a global star shine on home soil in a show packed with drama, danger, and unforgettable music.
—CDC, GMA Integrated News
