On Your Feet!

On Your Feet! is a jukebox musical based on the lives and music of husband and wife Emilio Estefan and Gloria Estefan. The musical has a book written by Alexander Dinelaris. The score is built around the Cuban-fusion dance songs made famous by Gloria Estefan, such as "Get on Your Feet", "Conga", "1-2-3", "Coming Out of the Dark" and "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You", and also includes new music written by the Estefans.[1]

After a tryout in Chicago earlier in 2015, On Your Feet! began previews on Broadway in October 2015 and opened officially on November 5, 2015.[2]

Production history

Chicago

The musical premiered at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago on June 2, 2015 and closed on July 5, 2015,[2] directed by Jerry Mitchell and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo. The cast featured Ana Villafañe as Gloria and Josh Segarra as Emilio.[3][4]

Broadway

Previews began on October 5, 2015 at the Marquis Theatre, with Mitchell and Trujillo directing and choreographing.[5] The musical officially opened on November 5, 2015.[2] The cast features Villafañe as Gloria, Segarra as Emilio, Andréa Burns as Gloria's mother, Alma Cuervo as Gloria's grandmother, Alexandrai Suarez as Little Gloria and Eduardo Hernandez as Young Emilio. Designers include David Rockwell (sets), Emilio Sosa (costumes) and Kenneth Posner (lighting).[6][7]

Synopsis

Act I

Gloria suffers a severe spinal injury during a 1990 tour-bus accident and faces a long, painful recovery. In a flashback, Gloria has a happy childhood in Miami and meets Emilio in her late teens. He becomes her business manager and record producer. They marry in 1978. Despite Gloria's reluctance to be fully in the public spotlight, the two work to achieve success with an innovative commercial crossover style of Cuban and American dance styles, both in Spanish and English. They still struggle against the pre-conceived notions of their record label and the radio stations, who doubt the appeal of their music to the general American public. They have a major hit with the infectious "Conga".

Act II

Gloria and Emilio deal with Gloria's stubborn mother, and Gloria struggles with show business fame and long-term pain from her injury, although her recovery helps them to reconcile with her mother. Thousands of fan letters, and Emilio's steadfast determination provide her the encouragement she needs to stage a comeback. Gloria and Emilio enjoy a triumphant return at the American Music Awards.

References

  1. ↑ Cox, Gordon. "Gloria Estefan Musical ‘On Your Feet!’ Sets Broadway Plans". Variety. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 "Official Site". Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  3. ↑ Oxman, Steven. "Pre-Broadway Review: Estefan Musical ‘On Your Feet!’ " Variety, June 18, 2015
  4. ↑ Gioia, Michael. "Gloria Estefan's 'On Your Feet!' Packs Up Its Chicago Shoes; Broadway Is Next!" Playbill, July 5, 2015
  5. ↑ "'On Your Feet!' Broadway" playbillvault.com, accessed November 2, 2015
  6. ↑ Gioia, Michael. "'Get On Your Feet!' Gloria Estefan's Musical Hits Broadway Tonight" Playbill, October 5, 2015
  7. ↑ Staff. "The Verdict: Read Reviews for Gloria Estefan's 'On Your Feet!' on Broadway" Playbill, November 5, 2015

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Monday, January 04, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.