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The first work by Whitney Houston that made a big impression on Jasmine Elliott was 1996’s “The Preacher’s Wife,” a movie starring Houston and Denzel Washington.
As a youngster, Elliott performed a song from “The Preacher’s Wife” at the Indianapolis church her family attended.
“I kind of lived for [Houston] growing up,” said Elliott, a 2007 Pike High School graduate who studied elementary education at Butler University and is now a fourth grade teacher.
Elliott’s admiration for Houston comes full circle with a musical production of “The Bodyguard” scheduled Jan. 28-29 at the Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St.
Portraying fictional entertainer Rachel Marron, the character popularized by Houston in the smash 1992 film, poses an identity challenge, Elliott said.
“Everybody has their thoughts on what Whitney should sound like,” Elliott said. “I still have to be myself, but I had to make sure I put a little Whitney into it.”
Staged by the Indiana Performing Arts Centre and KaidyDid Productions, “The Bodyguard’s” upcoming dates are encore presentations following sold-out shows last fall.
Dee DuVall, KaidyDid’s artistic director, said the musical adaptation of “The Bodyguard” is a faithful retelling of the movie starring Houston and Kevin Costner.
“It’s just a classic,” DuVall said. “It’s Whitney Houston, and who doesn’t love Whitney Houston? She’s a pop icon.”
“The Bodyguard” musical debuted in London in 2012, the same year Houston died at age 48. Heather Headley, who moved from Trinidad to Fort Wayne as a teenager, portrayed Rachel Marron in that production.
Houston’s life story is once again in the spotlight thanks to the film “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” presently in theaters.
Kila Adams, KaidyDid’s talent development director, said it’s not easy to watch Hollywood’s depiction of Houston’s career and personal life in decline.
“As it was nearing the end of the movie, I couldn’t stop crying,” Adams said.
Conversely, “The Bodyguard” represents an evening of peak Houston, showcasing the songs “I Will Always Love You,” “How Will I Know” and “Greatest Love of All.”
Nathan Wilusz portrays Frank Farmer, the role played by Costner in the film, and Elliott’s husband, Marcus, portrays the stalker in the story.
More than 20 cast members appear in “The Bodyguard” musical, and choreography by Maya Leigh provides multiple highlights, DuVall said.
Trina Dingle, founder of the Indiana Performing Arts Centre, said her organization joined forces with KaidyDid Productions six years ago to maximize opportunities to present Black stories on a large scale.
Their roster of past shows includes “Memphis,” “The Wiz,” “The Color Purple” and “Dreamgirls.”
“We try to choose as many theatre productions as we can that showcase Black talent,” Dingle said.
In “Dreamgirls,” Elliott portrayed Deena Jones—the character played by Beyonce Knowles in the 2006 film. The true-life inspiration for Deena Jones was Diana Ross. Before Houston starred in “The Bodyguard,” the movie nearly was made in the 1970s with Ross in the Rachel Marron role.
But it’s Houston and her rendition of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” that are cemented in pop culture history.
For Elliott, the singing teacher, her favorite part of “The Bodyguard” experience is the chance to show audience members what’s possible.
“I’m 33,” she said. “After 30, people may think, ‘Oh, I can’t do that. I’ll leave that for the young people.’ But I don’t plan on stopping any time soon.”
“The Bodyguard”
When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28; 4 p.m. Jan. 29.
Where: Basile Theatre at the Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St.
Tickets: $35 to $45.
Info: Visit ipacindy.org.
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