“On Your Feet”

[rating=5] Back in the summer of 2015, Chicago premiered “On Your Feet” The Emilo & Gloria Estefan Broadway Musical at the Ford Oriental Theatre. It was a night that I will always remember. First of all an exciting pre-Broadway show that had the audience rocking, and a night where I took a spill ( I guess I could not stay on my feet) on State Street, hitting my mouth on one of the iron fence posts. We thought it was under control as we rode the Red Line North, but when we hit our destination, and got into our car, we decided to head straight for the E.R. where I was stitched and sent home to heal. My review was a little late that night, but the show was powerful enough to take my mind off the pain and suffering of the after-show-experience. The irony of the entire opening of this show is that it opened ON Broadway at The Marquis Theatre on November 5th ( my birthday). Wow!

Now, “On Your Feet” is back. The road company ( a young troupe that is amazingly talented) is back in town. This time at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, down the street and I drove and parked very near the theater. No second chances for  me, but this production is as sharp and fresh as the original, following the smooth direction of Jerry Mitchell and the wonderful choreography of Sergio Trujillo, this sparkling show is one that should be seen, not just for fans of Gloria Estefan, or the Miami Sound Machine, but for music lovers. This story is about real people and their music. It talks of the problems that were met and resolved when it came to “cross-over” music. For those unfamiliar with the term, this is when music of one culture becomes accepted by other cultures. think about Elvis and the music of African-American artists! Think about the English Revolution of the 60’s and the music that they took over as their own. But in this case, the Latin sound was accepted by the Latin population and even the “gringos ( Whites)” in Spanish. It was unique and different. But, could they bring the same music to the same listener in English? Producers said no! The Estefans said YES! And they did it!

This is a cultural story about  these great talents who left  the heart of Havana bringing their music to the streets of Miami, and the United States and a cultural phenomenon unlike anything that the music industry had seen before, or was ready to take on. This is their story. Their climb to escape the country and lives they loved due to Castro and to start fresh in a new country with each other and to leave behind a past that had great meaning to each of them.

The music of Gloria Estefan ( played to perfection by Christie Prades) and Emilio Estefan ( Mauricio Martinez not only has a great voice and stage presence, but he is one sexy man with great comic timing as well) will have you toe tapping, hand clapping, finger snapping and smiling. “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You”, “1-2-3”, “Mi Tierra”, “Don’t Want To Lose You Now”, the title song “On Your Feet” along with  the Act One finale “Conga” where the audience joined in as the actors escorted them up the aisles to end the  act. If anyone can see this show and not leave the theater feeling “UP” and with a song in their heart, I would say, they need to be rushed to the nearest hospital, because, my friend, they are dead!.

The cast of players/ensemble members are perfect for every role: Nancy Ticotin ( as  Gloria’s mother ),Debra Cardona ( Consuelo),Jason Martinez ( as Gloria’s father) and  Amaris Sanchez ( as young Gloria- on alternate dates Carmen Sanchez) and Kevin Tellez as young Nayib and others (select performances, these roles are done by Jordan Vergara). Tellez is an amazing dancer and has a robust smile. The rest of the ensemble is composed of: Karmine Alers, Michelle Alves, Jonathan Arana, Skizzo Arnedillo, Danny Burgos, Sam J. Cahn, Sarita Colon, Adriel Flete, Jennifer Florentino, Devon Goffman, Hector Maisonet, Claudia Mulet, Eddie Noel, Marina Pires, Jeremy Adam Rey, Joseph Rivera, Maria Rodriguez, Shani Talmor and Claudia Yanez. Greta dancer, singers, actors and their energy levels never waned. Watching them on stage, I found my energy level heightened as well. I left the theater kind of dancing up the aisles despite not being a true dancer, I felt good!

If you saw the Pre-Braodway production in 2015 and think “I already saw this one”. Think again! Over time, like a fine wine, a fine musical ages and matures. New cast members bring a different energy to the production and the high they feel in doing the show gets transmitted to the paying audience. Oh, yes, that is the beauty of “LIVE” theater! If you have never seen “On Your Feet”, you only have until April 8th to see the light, with performances as follows:

Tuesdays  7:30 p.m.

Wednesdays  2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  2  and 8 p.m.

Sundays  2 p.m. ( 3/25 also a 7:30 p.m. show)

Tickets range from $30- $110 and can be purchased at any of the Broadway In Chicago Theatre box offices, by calling the Broadway in Chicago Ticketline at 1-800-775-2000 or online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com

The Cadillac Palace Theatre is located at 151 West Randolph Street

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “On Your Feet”.