Whitney Houston's hits build ‘The Bodyguard’ at Segerstrom Center

May 25, 2017 3 PM PT

She’s a best-selling pop diva receiving death threats from an obsessed fan.

He’s a former Secret Service agent hired to protect her.

Initially resentful of each other, they fight to be in charge, but eventually find themselves falling in love.

It’s the story behind “The Bodyguard,” the hit new musical coming to Segerstrom Center for the Arts May 30 to June 11.

Based on Lawrence Kasdan’s Oscar-nominated 1992 film, “The Bodyguard” features a score filled with Whitney Houston’s classic songs, including “Saving All My Love,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” “Queen of the Night” and her cover of “I Will Always Love You,” written and originally recorded by Dolly Parton.

Grammy Award-nominated and multi-platinum R&B artist and actress Deborah Cox is stepping into Houston’s shoes, taking on the late singer’s iconic role of Rachel Marron in the national tour of “The Bodyguard.” The character of bodyguard Frank Farmer — played by Kevin Costner in the film version — is portrayed by television actor Judson Mills.

Mills, who has done more than 35 guest starring roles on television programs, including “Law and Order,” “The X Files,” “Dexter,” “The Mentalist” and “Notorious,” said it’s been rewarding to return to the stage in a full-scale production.

Playing Frank Farmer could have been prophesied about 30 years ago, he said.

At the time, Mills was a student at Barry University in Miami, studying theater. He and his college roommate, Alexander Dinelaris, would stay up late watching the Oscars.

The friends didn’t lose touch.

Mills went off to New York, attended American Academy of Dramatic Arts and spent three years on “As The World Turns.”

Dinelaris became a screenwriter and is one of four who won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for “Birdman” in 2014. He and a creative team began working on “The Bodyguard” musical and struggled to find an actor to play the role opposite Cox.

Dinelaris called Mills and asked if he’d be interested in trying out for the part. After sending over an audition tape, Mills accepted the role and will play the bodyguard through the show’s ending in April 2018.

“A lot of this came full circle for me,” Mills said, calling from Ventura. “There have been so many connections.”

Kasdan suggested Mills think of Farmer as a samurai so he could emulate a warrior living on traditions of honor and discipline.

Mills has had an image of a samurai tattooed on his chest for the past 15 years.

And the show’s theme song, “I Will Always Love You,” was a song of emotional attachment to Mills’ former wife.

Mills said he enjoys playing Farmer, as the character is a still and grounded individual, and it’s also a pleasure working alongside Cox, who he said nails the role Houston made famous in her acting debut.

“At the time, 25 years ago, the interracial love story was very bold, and I love the message of diversity,” Mills said. “There’s this message throughout the musical about service and commitment to others and giving it everything you have, and it’s also an honorable tribute to Whitney Houston, which makes it a special show.”