As Manila’s theater scene continues to flourish, “The Bodyguard The Musical” staged by 9 Works Theatrical adds another exciting dimension to the cultural landscape. 

The show was formally launched last Sept. 3 at the Rockwell Center in Makati and will run on Sept. 26–Oct. 19 at its Proscenium Center.

“I think the theater industry here has vibrant energy,” said the show’s director Robbie Guevara, praising the comeback of what he described as local theater’s “golden age.”

“We have a lot of original Filipino musicals happening right now. ‘The Bodyguard’ is a significant addition to what’s showing in Philippine theater in terms of creativity,” he said.

Starring the Grammy-nominated and global performer Christine Allado as Rachel Marron and the West End star Matt Blaker as Frank Farmer, the production presents unique creative challenges that require careful adaptation for the Filipino audience. 

This was how Guevara explained the approach: “Some scenes will be realistic, some scenes stylized. I keep reminding Matt that our theater community has a very different sensibility when it comes to performers and audiences.”

One of the most demanding aspects involves the show’s fast pacing. “This musical wasn’t written with costume changes in mind,” Guevara said. “I had to integrate moments for Christine to change within scenes, because she ends a song and starts a scene right away, then sings again. It’s relentless, but it’s fun.”

The show is also a homecoming for Allado, whose last performance in Manila was almost two decades ago.

As for the rest of the cast, Filipino viewers can expect a show that will highlight their distinct strengths—from the dancers to the ensemble and featured singers—each contributing to distinct experiences throughout the show.