Estefan musical at the Orpheum will get you “On Your Feet!”
You'll be very surprised if you come in to “On Your Feet!” expecting a standard jukebox musical. The musical telling of Emilio and Gloria Estefan's romance and rise to fame is anything but standard. “On Your Feet!” brings to thrilling, colorful life the unique power of the signature mix of Cuban flair and American pop sensibility that rocketed the Miami Sound Machine to the top of the charts and kept it there throughout the late 80s and beyond while telling a truly remarkable story that could only happen in America. The opening night audience loved it. The whole auditorium was on its feet long before the curtain fell, and stayed on its feet for a raucous, sustained standing ovation for every member of the very gifted cast.
The story may be a familiar one but the book by Alexander Dinelaris, who also scripted last season's “The Bodyguard,” invests it with humor and heart. And though Gloria is out front for most of the show, Dinelaris doesn't just tell Gloria's story or Emilio's story. Instead, he tells the story of Gloria and Emilio, two immigrants who stand by each other's side and have each other's backs as they struggle to stay true to themselves and their roots despite the small-mindedness of record executives, DJS, and the occasional parent.
Christie Prades is just terrific as Gloria. Her contagious joy is irresistible as she soars through Gloria's many, many musical numbers, a sparkling voice at the center of a fireball of energy. She is just as compelling when she gives the audience a glimpse into the insecurities behind the star's self-assured concert persona. From the moment Eddie Noel swaggers on stage as Emilio wearing ridiculous shorts and casually carrying an accordion over his shoulder, it's hard to take your eyes off him. His Emilio is brash, pushy, and prone to switch from Spanish to English and back again so quickly in his rapid-fire dialogue that even Gloria is hard-pressed to keep up. Noel resists the temptation to make Emilio all bluster and brag, however. When the chips are down, he paints Emilio as Gloria's fiercest advocate and he seems almost completely broken when he thinks he might lose her. It's a striking portrayal that's made even better by Noel's glorious voice. Together, Prades and Noel are electric: their undeniable chemistry and beautifully matched voices make them the perfect pair to portray the central couple. Their early courtship is effortlessly charming, with Emilio just as surprised by his shyness around Gloria as she is by her attraction to Emilio. When the band takes off, the connection we've seen them develop makes the tension arising from Emilio's relentless pursuit of opportunity all the more real.
The music is brought to life by a sizzling onstage band, led by Miami Sound Machine keyboardist Clay Otswald and featuring several other original band members. Jorge Trujilio's Tonynominated choreography is exhilarating and the outrageously talented cast execute it to eye-popping perfection. The tightly-plotted routines and even tighter rhythms of the concert numbers are great, no doubt, but the real showstopper is a dazzling and unexpected Act Two highlight. “Mi Terra,” a blistering bolero brilliantly sung by Nancy Ticotin as Gloria's mother Gloria Fajardo, is the backdrop for a flashback set in a Havana nightclub. During a break in the number, she learns from her husband that the Batista regime has crumbled and that this will be her last night in Havana. When takes the stage again, Ticotin unleashes the full power of her remarkable voice and the band swings into high gear as Trujilio's dancers let loose a dazzling display of athleticism and grace in a final salute to the Cuba they know.
“On Your Feet!” is as close to pure joy in musical form as you're likely to find. The cast and the band give everything they have, and the result is a show alive with passion and music and dance that is truly unlike any other. Parents should know that the production recommends the show for ages five and older, and that's about right. There is a scene involving a vehicle accident that may scare the youngest theatergoers, but there are no serious thematic or language concerns. On Friday the 15th, the Orpheum will be participating in Kids Night on Broadway, with children under the age of 18 able to attend for free with a full-priced adult admission. There will be all kinds of preshow activities for young audience members, including an instrument petting zoo, salsa dance lessons, crafts, and a photo booth! This is a great opportunity to introduce kids to the theater! More information on the Kids Night on Broadway promotion is available by calling the Orpheum's box office at (901) 525-3000. “On Your Feet!” runs through Sunday, February 17that the Orpheum Theater in Memphis.