Rockwell Center Makati to Open a 780-Seater Theater in September

Makati City is getting another venue for the performing arts as Rockwell opens The Proscenium Theater this September. And what better way to raise the curtains than with the Manila debut of The Bodyguard, the Musical, produced by 9 Works Theatrical (the makers of Liwanag sa Dilim).

Rockwell's The Proscenium Theater

You may have already noticed the mixed-use Proscenium at Rockwell, at the foot of the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge (or Rockwell Bridge) and right across Power Plant Mall. It is named after the term "proscenium," defined as a virtual vertical plane of space in a theatre, usually surrounded on the top and sides by a physical proscenium arch (which may or may not be actually 'arched') and on the bottom by the stage floor. The arch serves as a frame and/or division between the stage and the audience.

Proscenium at Rockwell

The 3.6-hectare and five-tower space is designed by acclaimed architect Carlos Ott. Its centerpiece is The Proscenium Theater, which is surrounded by the buildings Kirov, Sakura, Lincoln, Lorraine, and The Proscenium Residences. The performing arts theater boasts a 16x16 meter stage with fully automated fly lines and an orchestra pit. Developers say that even the farthest seats in the venue, which are 20 meters from the stage, offer a clear view.

The complex also houses The Proscenium Retail Row, where you can find dining destinations like The Perfect Pint, Project Vino Reserve, and Joel's Place.

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The Bodyguard, the Musical

To launch Rockwell Center's venture as a space for culture and the arts is a narrative that has transcended its cinematic roots to become a captivating stage musical. The Bodyguard, originally a 1992 film starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston, was adapted by Alexander Dinelaris and premiered in London's West End in December 2012.

The musical retains the essence of the original film while infusing it with the dynamic energy of live theater. It revolves around Frank Farmer, a former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, who is hired to protect Rachel Marron, a famous singer and actress, from a mysterious stalker. As the narrative unfolds, the tension mounts, and the audience is drawn into a world of glamor, danger, and unexpected romance—all in a 1990s setting.

Seamlessly integrated into this storyline are Whitney Houston's iconic songs, from the high-energy "Queen of the Night" to the heartfelt "Greatest Love of All."

9 Works Theatrical's production of The Bodyguard, the Musical is presented through special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

Tickets go on sale on July 9, at 10 a.m. via Ticketworld.