6abc Loves the Arts: The Bodyguard

Remember The Bodyguard, the blockbuster movie starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner?

Well, it is back in musical form and on a limited US Tour coming to Philadelphia in late February.

If you saw the movie and think you know the show, The Kimmel Center's Programming Director, Frances Egler, says think again, "it's a brand new conception of it."

The storyline remains the same; former Secret Service agent Frank Farmer has been hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker.

"It's basically following these potential dangers that a superstar has on the road, and it's finding the romance between the bodyguard that she hires," says Egler.

The music features the original best-selling movie soundtrack but also adds some of Whitney's chart-topping hits from the 1990s.

"From I Will Always Love You to Run to You, to I Wanna Dance With Somebody, so it's a fantastic collection of songs," says Egler, who describes the musical stage show as totally reconceived, "kind of more pop and modern."

The romantic thriller features powerhouse R&B singer and actress Deborah Cox.

"She's the true star of this show," says Egler, "and she really brings a lot to the role."

Cox began her career with the release of her debut album in 1995.

She's since starred in the 2013 Broadway run of Jekyll & Hide and provided vocals for the 2015 Whitney Houston biopic.

"She really has the vocal and the acting chops to just really recreate that role on stage," says Egler, "it's a great chance to see what was one of the most popular musicals of recent times live and on stage featuring a great talent like Debra Cox."

The Bodyguard is a production of Broadway Philadelphia. It plays at the Academy of Music February 21st- 26th.

For tickets and show times go to www.TheArtsInPhilly.org