R&B singer Deborah Cox stars in 'The Bodyguard' on Chicago stage

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The 1992 movie "The Bodyguard," which featured Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, has been turned into a musical that opens on the Chicago stage Tuesday at the Oriental Theatre.

R&B singer Deborah Cox, a Grammy-nominated artist with multi-platinum albums, will play the role held by Whitney Houston in the movie version.

Cox recorded a duet with Houston 17 years and said meeting her was a game changer.

"The two of us were like old girlfriends, a real sisterhood. She talked to me a lot about the business behind the scenes and encouraged me to have my own family and keep balance in my life, so that's what I've done now to this day," Cox said.

Judson Mills plays the role of the bodyguard, which was played by Costner.

"It's a very daunting task, I'm a huge Kevin Costner fan and there's something about this role that's very simple and very still," Mills said.

Mills said he left most of the singing to Cox.

"I will say, without tipping my hand, there is a song that I do have in the show and it's set in a karaoke bar," Mills said. "I'll let your imagination do what it will with that."

Many of Houston's hits were added to the production, including "I will always love you." Cox said the song is a bittersweet, emotional time in the show when "you can literally hear a pin drop."

"The Bodyguard" runs Tuesday through Feb. 12.