by Mark G. Auerbach
Christie Prades as Gloria Estefan, Adriel Flete and Company in On Your Feet! Photo by Matthew Murphy
The Bushnell’s 2017-18 Broadway Series saved its best for last. On Your Feet! playing Hartford through Sunday, is incendiary, sultry, and the ultimate crowd-pleaser, with people dancing in the aisles, jumping to their feet to applaud, and leaving the Bushnell with a little bit of salsa in their step.
The rhythm’s gonna get you at On Your Feet!, the sizzling musical, which tells the story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine, wrapped up in their pulsing music catalogue, and slickly directed by Jerry Mitchell and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo. You may know their music, but their compelling story of a Cuban family arriving in Miami with nothing and climbing the charts to 26 Grammy wins is triumphant.
When I worked briefly at Greater Miami Opera in 1985, Miami Sound Machine was the hot local band, and their unique sound was heard in every club, restaurant and bar from Little Havana to Coconut Grove. Miami Vice used their rhythms in their soundtracks, and the sultry pulse of Gloria Estefan and ensemble made everyone want to dance in the streets, and backstage at the opera house, where I preferred the sounds of Miami’s Calle Ocho over Milan’s La Scala.
Mauricio Martinez as Emilio Estefan and Christie Prades as Gloria Estefan and Company in On Your Feet! Photo by Matthew Murphy
Alexander Dinelaris’ book weaves short snippets of dialogue into a series of Estefan songs, performed by an onstage band, whose members include musicians from Miami Sound Machine. Both Emilio’s and Gloria’s families have come to Miami from Cuba. They’ve worked hard to get ahead, and one scene, Emilio says that although their famimlies are immigrants, his experience is the American experience. In today’s political climate, it earned sustained applause.
Sergio Trujillo’s choreography, which was nominated for a Tony Award, i athletic, balletic, and totally on fire. It has the fine lines reminiscent of Jerome Robbins’ work on West Sie Story, but it has a sensuality, and enough heat to rev up the audience a notch. Jerry Mitchell, the dancer turned choreographer and director, keep On Your Feet! moving when the dancing stops. David Rockwell’s always-moving sets, enhanced by Darrel Maloney’s projections, move the show from Havana to Miami; from Little Havana to the concert stages of the world; Emilio Sosa’s costumes are flashy, and Kenneth Posner’s lighting is terrific.
Adriel Flete and Company,in On Your Feet! Photo by Matthew Murphy
Christie Prades, who covered the role of Gloria in the Broadway company of On Your Feet! dazzles as Gloria. Mauricio Martinez, the Mexican musical theatre star, is a commanding Emilio. Doreen Montalvo and Debra Cardona, as Gloria’s mom and grandmother, are terrific. Jordan Vergera, who plays several young boys, stops the show as Jeremy, a Bar Mitzvah boy, with his incredible footwork.
Make time for On Your Feet! if you can!
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The Bushnell presents On Your Feet!. The Emilio and Gloria Esfefan Broadway Musical. Book by Alexander Dinelaris. Featuring music produced and recorded by Emilio & Gloria Estefan and The Miami Sound Machine. Directed by Jerry Mitchell. Choreography by Sergio Trujillo. Muusic direction by Clay Ostwald. Scenic design by David Rockwell. Costume design by Emilio Sosa. Lighting design by Kenneth Posner. Sound design by SCK Sound Design. Cast: Christie Prades as Gloria Estefan and Mauricio Martinez as Emilio Estefan. Through June 24 at The Bushnell, Hartford, CT. 860-987-5900 or www.bushnell.org.
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Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio. Mark produces and hosts ArtsBeat Radio on 89.5fm/WSKB Radio.
