The story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, one of the most popular couples in the history of the entertainment industry, is coming to the Ford Center.
With 26 Grammy Awards and various other accolades for their musical talents gathered between them, the couple has much to show for their work. It was only a matter of time that their story be retold through song and dance.
“On Your Feet!: The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan” is a stage production directed and choreographed by Luis Salgado. The play, originally performed as a Broadway production in 2015, recounts the true stories of Emilio and Gloria Estefan and traverses their complex personal lives and careers.
The production begins with a young Gloria, portrayed by Gaby Albo, as she discovers her love for music in Miami before exploring the relationship between her and Emilio, portrayed by Samuel Garnica.
In a press release, Salgado had much to say about his appreciation for the lead performers and their level of commitment to the project.
“Gaby and Samuel have the deepest work ethic and kindness,” Salgado said. “This is the caliber of artist I want to have on this tour, and I’m thrilled to have them as our leads.”
He also described how the retelling soars in representation.
“I could never express my gratitude for the level of representation in this tour, showing what an American truly looks like,” Salgado said. “Our leads are from Mexico and Venezuela, our music director is from Colombia and I am from Puerto Rico. The representation is so powerful, real and honest to the story we are telling. It will resonate into an explosive experience for everyone who comes to see the show.”
Albo is a Mexican actress who has worked on a variety of successful productions such as “Aladdin,” “Cats” and “West Side Story” in addition to being a semi-finalist on “The Voice” in Mexico.
“I’ve already had a small taste of how huge this show is,” Albo said in a press release. “I am getting physically and mentally prepared to take everything to the next level. I cannot wait to touch people’s hearts with the Estefans’ powerful story across the U.S.”
Garnica is a Venezuelan actor whose work has included “Matilda,” “El Laurel de Apolo,” “The Tempest” and “The Dropout” as well as an award-winning performance for “La Llamada de Lauren.” In a press release, he elaborated on how much he enjoys being able to honor his heritage in “On Your Feet!”
“Being able to celebrate our culture, roots and ancestors through the Estefans’ story allows me to write my own story in my journey as an artist, which I hope can also inspire others to ‘seguir la tradición,’” Garnica said.
“On Your Feet!” is brimming with exhilaration thanks to the performances, but much of that excitement is due to its iconic songs, such as “Rhythm is Gonna Get You,” “Conga” and “Get On Your Feet.”
Gloria and Emilio Estefan themselves displayed their appreciation for the dedication and admiration of all involved in the production.
“Having seen both of these talented young performers in the show, we are confident that they will dazzle and delight audiences across the country,” Gloria and Emilio Estefan said in a press release. “Gaby throws herself into the music and dancing with such fervor, and Samuel couldn’t be more charming. They represent the heart and soul of our story, and audiences will surely feel their authenticity. We can’t wait to see them on stage again.”
The Estefans are not alone in their anticipation of this show. Sophomore theater major Gavin Lane shared an appreciation for a few of the upcoming production’s key visual elements.
“What immediately sold the show to me were the costumes and set from the promotional material and how they made the performances, in what little I’ve seen, look so fun and full of life,” Lane said. “All of the dresses look like giant parties, and the sets jumped out at my face. That, to me, looks like this show is full of love from everyone involved.”
“On Your Feet!” will be performed at the Ford Center on Sunday, Jan. 28. More information regarding tickets and showtimes can be found on the Ford Center website.
