Buy tickets for the London and touring dates of On Your Feet here (external link)
Read my 25th anniversary reviews of Anything For You, Cuts Both Ways and Into The Light here
It seems forever and a day since I enthusiastically parted with a wad of cash for tickets to the UK premiere of the Emilio and Gloria Estefan story On Your Feet. Gloria Estefan and The Miami Sound Machine were such a part of my formative years that I've kept their music close throughout my life and let it impact me in new ways each time fate throws a new adventure in front of me; it means I've been rather excited about finally getting to see the Broadway smash - and at one of my favourite UK theatres no less. Today, front row centre, I witnessed the a vibrant telling of a story of hope, dreams and the power of love, all set to sterling versions of Gloria/Miami Sound Machine hits, performed by a cast I could not take my eyes off. Theatre reviewers far more eloquent than I will wax philosophical about the merits of this outstanding production. All I can do is tell everyone I know about what an uplifting gem of a musical it is - and here are just ten reasons why it should be at the top of your must see list...
- 1. Christie Prades/Phillipa Stefani as Gloria Estefan ~ I got to see Christie in the role of Gloria, but by all accounts Phillipa is just as luminous and theatre goers are lucky to see either play the iconic singer. Christie becomes Gloria in a way I didn't think possible, transforming from shy performer to confident singer to worldwide superstar as the show progresses. Her tender moments are heartbreaking, her euphoric moments empowering. And man, does the woman know how to sing. She bends ballads to her will and has you finger clicking to her effervescent (Dr) beat. Amazing.
- 2. George Ioannides as Emilio Estefan ~ Being a bit of a theatre nerd, I'm always happy when I see actors and actresses I recognise from other shows and George is practically Curve family having performed in last year's An Officer and A Gentleman musical. He expands his range as ambitious Emilio, not least at how fabulous he looks in a pair of white Wham-esque shorts! But he really gives his character nuance and heart, showing why it was so easy for Gloria to fall in love with him. Oh and his solo version of I Don't Wanna Lose You Now is an utter heartbreaker.
- 3. The songs ~ of course the music is a big draw of the show. It is so beautifully interwoven into the tapestry of the story that it doesn't feel like a jukebox musical, rather a natural extension of the narrative. The uptempo numbers really do sparkle - Conga is a phenomenal act one closer that has you shaking your body with sheer ecstasy whilst the finale has everyone up and shimmying along like they are trained professionals. Everything in between is equally as enchanting and the arrangements and band performance were mesmerising.
- 4. The duets ~ apropos of the songs is how some of them were transformed into duets. Anything For You benefits from some lovely harmonisation courtesy of Francesca Lara Gordon (as Gloria's sister Rebecca), a lilting languorous moment that seems to linger long after the song has finished. The duets between Christie and George as the two leads were genuinely stunning. When I See Your Smile and Here We Are (one of my all-time favourite Gloria songs) took on a new life with the latter showing a more vulnerable side of Emilio and the genuine yearning for more from Gloria. Oh and both could and should be pop chart hits for the duo too.
- 5. The dancing ~ oh my how those lads and lasses could move. The choreography was so fluid and sensuous that it was like watching living, breathing art. The ensemble were uniformly excellent, infusing each different scene where they played different characters with a sense of new personality and charisma which bought the background to the fore. It would take an age to name them all* but I certainly salute each and every one of them. And particularly the fellas who made braces seem timeless and stylish all over again.
- 6. A tale of our times ~ it may be the story of Gloria and Emilio from 30-40 years ago, but some of the story was (sadly) relevant for today. Most notably the impact being an immigrant had on Emilio - which was portrayed with fiery passion by Mr Ioannides. Tangible emotions bubbled to the surface as he made impassioned speeches about being the face of America or told devastating tales of being torn apart from family to escape terrible situations in his homeland. It was a master acting class as well as being an argument for showing that differences will blight us but music should always unite us. Oh and pay attention to the fabulous talent in the diversity of the cast - I wanted to hug them all!
- 7. A tale for everyone ~ of course not everyone who sees the show will go onto be an international pop star who sells millions of albums and has a stage show dedicated to the story of their life. But the show is about chasing your dreams, not giving up, developing resilience and FOR SURE not letting others pigeon hole you or push you down because you don't fit their narrow world view. It is empowering and inspiring and, like the letter from Rachel read towards the end of the show, I can't begin to say how much this infusion of hope into the story meant to me. These convivial moments happen often but is best represented by the rousing ensemble singalong of Reach - a rallying call for us all.
- 8. A celebration of mothers ~ Mums are talented, wonderful, giving, ferocious, protective individuals. That is presented wonderfully through three generations of mothers in On Your Feet. Karen Mann as Consuelo is an abuela for the ages, equal parts hilarious and heartwarming with her electrifying portrayal of Gloria's grandma. Gloria herself takes on a mothering role towards her sister Rebecca and son Nayib (the rather fabulous Jonathan Naranjo), worrying that her lifestyle is negatively impacting them. The most complex of these is MAdalena Alberto as Gloria Fajardo. She takes on the hardships and burdens of life (including nursing her husband who has multiple sclerosis - a breathtaking and sensitive portrayal from Elia Lo Tauro who, by the way, knocks When Someone Comes Into Your Life out the park) which leave her a little sour at times but she comes through with the sweet when it is most needed. And her Mi Tierra is just sizzling. I think I actually said "wowsa" at the end of it...
- 9. Have a good cry ~ Spoiler alert. Some of the story is really sad. Famous is so poignant and fragile. If I Never Got To Tell You and Wrapped was a twofer wammy I wasn't prepared for and had me dabbing my eyes. But I also wept with sheer joy at Coming Out Of The Dark and that thrilling finale medley, just giddy that such magnificence still exists in this oft gloomy world of ours.
- 10. Party time ~ the show leaves you with an absolutely gleeful high, one that can be continued by downloading the broadway cast version (see here on Amazon UK), watching the UK cast perform on Britain's Got Talent (see here on YouTube) and revisiting Gloria's greatest hits as so many people were doing in their cars on the way out of the glamourous Curve carpark (see here on Spotify). The story lives on in whatever way you want it to - and I just know I'm going to have to go and see this show all over again. Just gotta get up and make it happen...
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