“On Your Feet”, the new musical filling seats at the Civic
Theatre downtown through Aug. 5th, is about as energetic and crowd
pleasing as any seen on this stage recently.
With book by Alexander Dinelaris and directed by Jerry
Mitchell, choreographed by two time Tony Award winner, Sergio Trujillo and
featuring the music of Emilio and Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine, the
production is now on it’s first post-Broadway National tour and it jumps out at
you the minute the curtain goes up. “Conga”
“ON Your Feet” traces the success story of the Estefan’s from
the early beginnings when a young and naïve eighteen year old Gloria is
introduced to the lead singer, Emilio Estefan, in the popular group “Miami
Latin Boys” later known as “Miami Sound Machine. He comes calling for her to
audition for his group. (“Anything For You”, “I See Your Smile”))
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| Christie Prades and Mauricio Martinez |
To say it was love at first sight (“Here We Are”) might be an
understatement but Dinelaris’ book (their true to life story) makes us wait a
while as their rise to fame for the young Latin’s get to know each other.
The story wiggles through business disagreements and his
management and charge of her career, takes us back in time to their familial
roots and shows us how the two made the crossover from Latin to mainstream
outlets while not diluting or avoiding political controversies along the way by
giving record executives lessons on the realities of the changing faces of
America.
 |
The action unfolds in Cuba on a less than successful note for
their getting together when Gloria’s mother wants nothing to do with Emilio, his
band or his promises. There was no love lost between the two until Gloria’s
near fatal accident while on tour years later.
Her reasons stem from the disappointments she experienced as
an up and coming entertainer in Cuba when her husband, Gloria’s father (a solid
Jason Martinez) an officer under the Batista regime after the revolution and was
imprisoned by Castro. Finally freed from jail, they moved to Miami.
He volunteered to go to Vietnam where he was exposed to Agent
Orange and was later diagnosed with MS. All this was brought up when her mother
finally confessed to her why she was so hard on Emilio.
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| Cast "On Your Feet" |
With an exceptionally talented cast of no less than twenty
eight including dancers and band, leads Christie Prades, understudied for the
part on Broadway and Mauricio Martinez, who performed in this role on Broadway,
give credibly to the handsome couple with the dynamic that runs between. Both
are attractive, energetic, and with more than just a hint of electricity as
they dance, sing and settle in to their own narrative.
 |
| Nancy Ticotin |
Opening onto a busy stage (David Rockwell) we meet the young
Gloria (excellent Carmen Sanchez) singing and sashaying with a laundry basket
helping her mother, the elder Gloria (Nancy Nicotine who made her Broadway
debut at age ten and hasn’t looked back since) and her Consuelo (Debra Cardona
whose credits fill a quarter of a page) all with so much talent, it’s a jaw
dropper. The show stealer is a young and treat of the evening Jordan
Vergara taking on multiple kid’s roles (how about the Bar Mitzvah Boy?) with
enough rhythm and energy to keep the lights on.
Her catalogue of songs include “Anything For You”, “Don’t
Wanna Lose You”, “Here We Are”, “Live For Loving You”, “Oye”, “When Someone
Comes Into Your Life”, “Words Get In The Way”, “Come Out Of The Dark” that she
sang on stage, returning to the spotlight after recovering from her horrific
accident.
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| Christie Prades (center) |
And I was worried that I wouldn’t recognize any of the music all
hits from the 1980’s (well I’m a dinosaur) but was so pleasantly surprised and
blown away with the entire production and that included the eye popping
costumes by Emilio Sosa, the snappy choreography not to mention the down to
earth personal and rich story that brought a smile from ear to ear not seen in
many other jukebox musicals.
“Get On Your Feet” with the leads out front and the Miami
Sound Machine in the background (on stage), the number that closed out the show
must have gone on at least fifteen minutes while the entire audience was, in
fact ‘on their feet’.
See you at the theatre.
Dates: Through Aug. 5th
Organization: Broadway San Diego
Phone: 619-570-1100
Production Type: Jukebox Musical
Where: 1100 3rd and B Street San Diego 92101
Ticket Prices: Between $22.00-$110.00
Web: broadwaysd.com
Venue: San Diego Civic Theatre
Photo: Broadwaysd
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