It took quite a while but Gloria and Emilio Estefan’s On Your Feet is finally dancing its way to a world premiere in Chicago.
On Your Feet showcases the life of the one and only Queen of Latin Pop and her relationship with her husband Emilio, 19-times Grammy winner and record producer extraordinaire.
The musical will show audiences how their dedication to each other, their heritage and their pursuit of the American dream led to their remarkable success. It will cover Gloria’s early years with the Miami Sound Machine and her miraculous recovery from a broken back in 1990.
Bringing On Your Feet to the stage is a feat in itself. It’s rare that a bilingual, Latino-centered musical is showcased and biographies are especially tricky.
Fantastic press conference for @OnYourFeetBway World Premiere w @GloriaEstefan @EmilioEstefanJr at Oriental Theatre. pic.twitter.com/2qMGMkIs5B
— Margie Korshak, Inc. (@MargieKorshak) May 19, 2015
However, the couple is confident that they can pull it off and Emilio is certain that “Chicago’s gonna bring us a lot of good luck.”
It’s a sentiment that Gloria believes in as well.
“The audience is a wonderful nurturing audience but also they’re savvy in the way of theater so it’s a great place to try your stuff out,” the 57-year-old hitmaker said.
As expected, Gloria’s hits will also play an essential part. Audiences will be treated to well-loved songs like “Conga,” “Rhythm is Gonna Get You,” “Don’t Want to Lose You Now” and the titular “Get On Your Feet.”
While her hits will take center stage, Gloria won’t be.
Instead, she’s leaving it to the very capable hands of Ana Villafane, who was discovered after a worldwide search for the lead.
But who knows, Gloria said she might just “sneak in there and be my mom.”
On Your Feet will open at Chicago’s Oriental Theater on June 2 and will run for five weeks. The musical will then be previewed on Broadway at the Marquis Theater on October 15 before beginning its official run on November 5.
Chicago bound!! @OnYourFeetBway (GsPeeps) pic.twitter.com/6Rw1ZvpQ14
— Gloria Estefan (@GloriaEstefan) May 18, 2015