November 19, 2015 – On Your Feet, the new musical at Nederlander’s Marquis Theatre with book by Alexander Dinelaris, music by Emilio (3/4/1953 – ) & Gloria [Maria Milagrosa Fajardo Garcia de] Estefan (9/1/1957 -) & Miami Sound Machine directed by Jerry Mitchell, choreographed by Sergio Trujillo. Opening Night – November 5, 2015 open run.

The story is the life history of the husband / wife team of Gloria and Emilio Estefan from humble beginnings in Cuba to life in Miami and international superstardom. Emilio, was an artist with a band with some local notoriety when he met the young Gloria whose Grandmother Consuelo fully supported her singing. Her mother Gloria Fajardo had been in the music business in Cuba was not so convinced and father Jose Fajardo, dies young after being cared for by young Gloria. Jose was a bodyguard of the Cuban leader Fulgencio Batista, so the had to leave when Castro became dictator. Esteban finally convinced Gloria and family to be the vocalist in his group and gradually the group was renamed in her honor and Esteban became the manager. The musical follows their life and struggles as they changed musical genres until the breakout hit and signature song “Conga” in 1985.

The jute box musical in the style of Mama Mia, Jersey Boys etc is effective in telling the story. There is a lot of energy and fun in the ensemble performance. The actor playing Gloria does a masterful job in recreating the energy and excitement of Gloria. The musical numbers are well choreographed and it is a fun evening of theatre.

Ana Villafañe – Gloria (debut) is brilliant in her portrayal, Josh Segarra as Emilio (Dogfight, Lysistrata Jones) is also well suited to his part, Andréa Burns – Gloria Fajardo (In the Heights, The Nance, Beauty and the Beast, The Full Monty, The Ritz) and Alma Cuevo – Consuelo (Allegro, Road Show, Cabaret, Beauty and The Beast, Titanic, The Heidi Chronicles, Ghetto, etc) both play excellent roles as mother and grandmother.

In summary, a fun evening and upbeat. Aside – the night I attended, there was a malfunction of the set and the two women on stage had to step off until fixed. Mother and daughter immediately picked up their places as true professionals.