Heather Headley’s first two albums, ‘This Is Who I Am’ [[2002) and ‘In My Mind’, [[2006), proved she has a great voice and is a genuine modern day soul singer. Recordings such as ‘Back When It Was‘ and ‘In My Mind’ demonstrated just how good she really is. She is also a great gospel singer.
Her performances in The Lion King and Aida on Broadway gave her experience and recognition as a first rate stage performer, at least in the U.S. However, her profile in the U.K is practically zero.
All that is changing at an incredible rate. She is the lead in the new stage production ‘The Bodyguard: The Musical’ at the Adelphi theatre in London’s West End. My wife and I went on Saturday evening to one of the previews before the official opening this week, Thursday 6th.
I can tell you that she is a global star in the making. I have absolutely no doubt Heather will become one of the greats in the entertainment world. She has it all – a powerful, nuanced, flexible and versatile voice, charisma, stage presence, energy and warmth. She really lit the place up.
Whilst her role is that of Whitney Houston in the film ‘The Bodyguard”, and she does of course perform many of the songs that Whitney initially recorded, in no way is she a facsimile or plagiarist. She performs the songs in her way and extremely effectively.
She is also a fine actress and dancer, and she is truly beautiful, with grace, style and the ability to carry off some great stage costumes.
The plot is amended and simplified, and the screenplay adapted very well for the stage. This is not a throwback; the songs have been updated and are utterly contemporary. The cast are magnificent. Special mention for Debbie Kurup who also performed Whitney songs and was also amazing!!!!
The purpose of this advanced review is to urge all of you who can possibly get to the performances in London to do so. This not bland soul - less theatre. You will have a terrific experience, and you will undoubtedly agree this is the time when Heather becomes a global superstar. She has it all. And after the play finishes, there is a sensational performance of ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ with the entire cast on stage. The roof came off!!!!!
Oh and Heather played to NATIONAL PRIMETIME AUDIENCES in the UK this week when her performance of ‘I Will Always Love You’ at the Albert Hall in front of Queen Elizabeth II was televised.
http://www.broadway.com/buzz/165914/...ways-love-you/
Press Conference Preview
And same press conference preview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh7D32mWWO0
And not forgetting Debbie Kurup [[ Nutbush City Limits as no video of her in The Bodyguard yet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOG4wrxP7ns
Bookmarks