Meghan Deeley is a young singer and dancer who has a passion for putting on a show. She will have her opportunity as she stars in the upcoming White Plains Performing Arts Center’s Mainstage production of the hit musical, “The Bodyguard,” based on the 1992 film.
The show will run from April 26 to May 12 in Westchester County, just outside of New York City.
Deeley, a Sicklerville native, will be a part of the ensemble and also sing backup to the lead role, former “Amercian Idol” runner up LaToya London. Feeling more excited than anxious, Deeley spoke about her time leading up to the show.
“It’s been really wonderful, everyone is super, super talented so I just feel super grateful to be around such really talented folks and it’s been pushing me to work really hard and stay really focused. It’s so much better to be in a room where you can really learn from your peers,” she said.
Fans of Whitney Houston are going to like what they see and hear.
“The best thing about the musical is absolutely the music,” Deeley said. “I don’t think you realize how much Whitney Houston music you know until you hear all the songs listed in one show. Just how iconic she was, and the music that she brought into all of our lives.”
The storyline of the musical stays true to the movie, and fans of early ’90s movies will certainly enjoy the show, according to Deeley.
She compares the music in the show to going to a concert. One song in particular she’s most excited to sing is Whitney Houston‘s “Queen of the Night,” which will open the show.
On top of the singing, she is also learning pretty intense hip-hop choreography.
Deeley explained why this might be her most intense role yet in terms of choreography and singing.
“All the quick movements, you’re moving so fast,” she said. “Dancers are some of the strongest people I know. We all have to stay as fit as possible to be able to keep up with the choreography and to keep everything really in sync. On top of that, with singing you have to have a lot of breath support, and everything aligns in your body to support the tones that are coming out of your mouth, and when you’re dancing and moving around that creates a bit of a challenge.”
Deeley is no stranger to the stage having already participated in a well-known production in the international tour of “Sister Act.” For that production, she was a “swing,” which is required to perform a number of roles if someone in the cast is not able to perform them.
Deeley started her career at a young age singing in church choirs and being a part of school events. She graduated from Winslow Township High School in 2011. That led her to Rider University, where she graduated with a bachelor’s of arts and music degree.
Deeley is living her dream of being an actress living in Manhattan.
“I always knew I wanted to live in New York City, that has been my dream since I was a little girl,” she said. “To be fortunate enough to have a successful enough career to live here and support that, and then on top of that, to be able to rehearse in New York and do a show in New York, that is really awesome.”
“The Bodyguard” is directed by Frank Portanova with musical direction by Stephen Ferri and choreography by Daniel Gold. For tickets, visit the theater box office Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., purchase the tickets online at wppac.com or call (914) 328-1600.
