Judson Mills and More to Join Deborah Cox in The Bodyguard

Paper Mill Playhouse has announced casting for the North American premiere of The Bodyguard, a new musical based on the Warner Bros. film written by Lawrence Kasdan. As previously announced, Grammy Award-nominated recording artist and actress Deborah Cox (Jekyll & Hyde) will star as Rachel Marron.

Cox will be joined by Judson Mills in the role of bodyguard Frank Farmer. The principal cast will also include Alex Corrado (Gotham) as Tony Scibelli, Charles Gray (The Color Purple), Jonathan Hadley (Jersey Boys), Jorge Paniagua as the Stalker, Jasmin Richardson as Nicki Marron, and Douglas Baldeo (Kinky Boots) and Kevelin B. Jones III alternating in the role of Rachel's son Fletcher.

The ensemble will include Arielle Campbell, Brendon Chan, Willie Dee, Jarid Faubel, Megan Elyse Fulmer, Emily Jenda, Alejandra Matos, Bradford Rahmlow, Benjamin Rivera, Sean Rozanski, Matthew Schmidt, Jaquez André Sims, Lauren Tanner, and Naomi C. Walley.

Based on Lawrence Kasdan's Oscar-nominated film, which starred Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, The Bodyguard had its world premiere in London's West End where it was nominated for four Laurence Olivier Awards including best new musical and won best new musical at the WhatsOnStage Awards. The romantic thriller follows former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, who is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker.

The production features a book by Academy Award winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman) and a score of classic songs including "Queen of the Night," "So Emotional," "One Moment in Time," "Saving All My Love," "Run to You," "I Have Nothing," "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," and "I Will Always Love You." Thea Sharrock directs, with choreography by Karen Bruce. The creative team also includes set and costume design by Tim Hatley, lighting design by Mark Henderson, sound design by Richard Brooker, choreography by Karen Bruce, and orchestrations and additional music by Chris Egan.

As previously reported, the Paper Mill performances will run from November 25-January 1, 2017, before the official tour opening at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis on January 10, 2017. The production will then make stops in Appleton, Wisconsin; Memphis, Tennessee; Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Philadelphia; Baltimore; Charlotte, North Carolina; Durham, North Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; Atlanta; New Orleans; Tucson, Arizona; Sacramento, California; San Jose, California; Los Angeles; Costa Mesa, California; San Diego; and Houston.

For the complete touring schedule, click here.