On Your Feet!: The Rhythm Will Undoubtedly Get You

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When I saw On Your Feet! last night at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, the audience had gone crazy before the curtain rose. Unexpectedly, the real-life Gloria and Emilio Estefan were in attendance for the musical chronicling their lives. Knowing these legends were present energized the audience in a way I have seen only a handful of times before. It was clear the evening would be an exciting one no matter what played out on stage.

For those unfamiliar with the history of Gloria, Emilio, and the Miami Sound Machine, the musical serves as a solid history lesson. Little Gloria (Carmen Sanchez) grows up in Little Havana in Miami, Floria. Her mother, Gloria Fajardo (Nancy Ticotin, one of the strongest but most inconsistent actresses), and grandmother, Consuelo García (a scene-stealing Alma Cuervo), watch after her. Quickly, Gloria matures into a beautiful young woman (original Broadway standby for Gloria, Christie Prades, in an effervescent turn) who plays on pursuing a psychology degree despite her immense talent for music.

Consuelo decides to lead Gloria in the right direction by introducing her to the up-and-coming Emilio Estefan (Mauricio Martínez, channeling all of Emilio’s natural charisma). Despite minor protests, Gloria sings for Emilio and his band, the Miami Latin Boys. Realizing the talent she has, Emilio encourages her to join their group and begin to unleash the star that lives within this shy girl. Gloria becomes a full-fledged star and the band becomes Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine. As Gloria and Emilio continue their professional relationship, they ignite with passion and become involved with one another. Their passion and determination leads them to the top of the charts with the smash hit, “Conga,” despite initial push-back from both American and Latin music channels.

Mauricio Martiínez (Emilio) and Christie Prades (Gloria) sizzle and pop in this touring production.
Photo by Matthew Murphy. ©2017

With their success mounting, the act departs on a world tour. Although she enjoys the tour, Gloria is losing energy and is frustrated over tense relations with her mother that have developed thanks to their differing opinions about Gloria’s career choices. Shirking the opportunity for a break, Emilio encourages an overnight bus to New York to get a head start in their next stop. That evening, a crash leaves Gloria unconscious in the hospital, her son with a broken shoulder, and Emilio unharmed.

Surgery on her back gives Gloria the potential to walk again. The road is not an easy one, as she progresses slower than desired. After venting her frustrations to Emilio, he covers her room with thousands of letters from fans pouring their hearts out for their idol. Moved, Gloria agrees to make a comeback performance on the American Music Awards. Recovered, she and Emilio begin their journey to the next step of their careers and their lives.

If that sounds like a lot, it’s because it is. This show tries to jam so many different points about Gloria’s career in that it is bursting at the seams. And the description above doesn’t even go into the various subplots that exist! Her music is so very exciting and provides a compelling catapult for dramatic action to take place in musical interludes. Unfortunately, the script does not focus in enough for a clear emotional thread to be seen.

Instead, On Your Feet! worries primarily about the spectacle. The choreography, in particular (provided by Sergio Trujillo and executed by a flawless ensemble), is a high point. Dancers were spinning, kicking, and leaping so often and at such high speeds it made me wonder why anyone would ever bother working out. Just get cast in On Your Feet! and you will never have to do cardio again. Trujillo elevates the choreography from standard latin fare to inventive musical theater-inspired numbers. Wooden soles worn by the dancers in “Cuba Libre” help create a number that is part-tap, part-flamenco, and all-original.

Even when the book falters, On Your Feet! entertains with inspired choreography and bright colors.
Photo by Matthew Murphy. ©2017

If you can’t feel a strong emotional connection from the musical’s book, you’ll be drawn in nonetheless. This is largely because the stage looks so enticing. Costumes by Emilio Sosa sparkle, shimmer, and flow with each dancers movements. During larger numbers, the stage becomes a sea of sequins that shine almost as brightly as the lights (designed by Kenneth Posner). While the set-pieces weren’t the most original (David Rockwell) they were practical and contrasted well with the stunning costuming. One actor, however, did almost get hit by a falling shutter during my performance. Hopefully the set will be better secured for the remainder of the run.

Christie Prades makes a perfect Gloria Estefan. Seeing Ana Villafañe on Broadway was a revelation and it was a nearly identical performance delivered tonight. There is a certain flame that Villafañe had which Ms. Prades replaces with a sweeter, more fun-loving Gloria. It was reassuring to know that Prades was putting her own spin on the role rather than just following an existing example.

I found the production to work much better on the Kennedy Center’s stage than in the Marquis Theatre in New York. The grandiose nature of the Opera House built up the spectacle and the deeper stage allowed for more spread-out blocking that made the intricate dance numbers much more energizing and exciting.

Sure, the plot comes to a screeching halt in the middle of the second act but the remainder of the show is such fun. Everyone in the audience sprung to their feet as soon as bows commenced and people stayed dancing in their seats long after the actors left the stage. On Your Feet! is a celebration of will-power, determination, and perseverance. This musical is proof that you can make anyone enjoy a night at the theater, you just need to be prepared to throw some sparkles their way.

On Your Feet! is playing from now through January 28 at the Kennedy Center.

Seen On Your Feet! and/or have thoughts on the Gloria and Emilio’s music? Comment below!

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