THE RHYTHM IS GONNA GET YOU, 'ON YOUR FEET'
THE GRAND RE OPENING OF THE GOLDEN GATE THEATRE BRINGS GLORIA AND EMILIO ESTEFAN AND THEIR MIAMI SOUND MACHINE TO RING OPEN THIS 96 YEAR OLD VENUE
SHN re-opened its 96 old year venue THE GOLDEN GATE Theatre to welcome the National tour of ON YOUR FEET. The energy from this new musical is infectious, and adds to the elegant refurbished theatre. ON YOUR FEET is now on stage at SHN’s Golden Gate Theatre through October 7th and opens at The San Jose Performing Arts Center on Oct 9th. OYF is electric, the audience can’t resist but clap and dance from their seats and fans on the aisle didn’t hesitate to stand and salsa to many of the hit songs.
A well staged jukebox musical ON YOUR FEET meets all its hype. The music won 26 Grammy Awards, and this 2015 tribute to the accomplished Gloria and Emilio Estefan and their Miami Sound Machine. Their irresistible Cuban-fusion street beat is hot and eye catching and more than a Carnival weekend. The 24 numbers move like fire as the family story is told. The book by Alexander Dinelaris tells the history of the early family influences on Gloria and Emilio Estefan.
Christie Prades and Mauricio Martinez are infectious in the parts and the Estefan’s building relationship and professional partnership is the heart of the their story. Prades voices Gloria energy in “Anything for You” and “One Two Three” that opens the show. Later their ballads “Don’t wanna Lose You” and “I See Your Smile” are terrific with the powerhouse ensemble that backs them up. Choreographer Sergio Trujillo, kicks hits like “Get On Your Feet,” “Conga,” and “Reach” lifted the GGT off its foundation.
The thrilling dance numbers, “Party Time”, “Oye” and “The Rhythm Is Gonna Get You”: that feature Emilio are irresistibly charming, with exceptional rhythm. The story is also about a larger drama; the shifting Latino experience in the music industry attempting to cross over to a mainstream audience. It was not just the Latinos in the audience who roared approval when Emilio tells a white music producer, “This is what an American looks like.”
Oprah called “Gloria Estefan the greatest Latin cross-over artist of all time” and Emilio has discovered other artists such as Shakira, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, and Jon Secada. In 2015, the couple was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and in 2017, Gloria was one of the five recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors. This national tour cast includes 14 from the original NY cast, 30 is all great dancers with staller voices, and all can salsa and conga that kept the sold out opening night audience cheering. The ensemble is constantly moving, shifting from specific characters to backup singers and dancers and burst into the isles of the Golden Gate Theatre.
The highlights in the cast include; Nancy Ticotin who plays Gloria’s mother, a brilliant talent who wanted a career, and struggles with her daughter’s transition to a professional megastar. Ticotin sings “Mi Tierra” with passion and heart. Gloria’s father is played by Jason Martinez who brings an elegant tenor to his solo “When Someone comes Into Your Life” about his daughter’s success. An audience favorite is Alma Cuervo as Gloria’s wise and witty Abuela, Consuelo who reprises the festive “Conga” number.
The second act drama recreates the snowstorm outside Syracuse, that hits the tour bus. Gloria, who almost loses her life and ends her career. The searing duet “If I Never Got to Tell You” and “Don’t Want to Lose You Now” by Emilio keeps this American Dream alive. A dream ballet, reprises her life, that includes thousands of fan letters that inspire Gloria. Prades is spellbinding in the closer “Coming Out of the Dark.”. Tony winning director Jerry Mitchell’s staging feels complete as the second act brings this American Dream home.
Fans will recognize the two dozen hits, as the on stage ten member orchestra recreates Miami Sound Machine under the direction of Clay Ostwald. The sizzling vegas style sound plays familiar catchy percussion and horn licks. The Musical ran on Broadway for 750 performances and the tour shares the design of the broadway version. Scenic design by David Rockwell creates an intimate space for the family drama to a concert venue as fast as the company can change costumes. Emilio Sosa’s costumes are excellent full of color and shine and Kenneth Posner’s concert lighting lifts you out of your seat.
What a great way to reopen the GOLD GATE STAGE, this musical shines. Covering the era of a new Cuban pop that began in the 70s through Gloria’s dramatic comeback in 1991 at the American Music Awards. ON YOUR FEET is worth a visit this fall season, and the great news is that this production moves to the south bay on Oct 9th for an extra week at the San Jose Performing Arts Center. More information below -
SHN PRESENTS
ON YOUR FEET
The Emilo & Gloria Estefan Musical
Book by Alexander Dinelaris
Directed by Jerry Mitchell
Music Director Clay Ostwald
Choreographed by Sergio Trujilo
Must Close Oct 7th
SHN’s Golden Gate Theatre,
1 Taylor St. San Francisco, CA 94102
ON YOUR FEET! will also perform at the Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose from October 9 through October 14, 2018
Two hours 30 minutes
tickets www.shnsf.com
SAN JOSE TICKETS sanjosetheaters.org/
OCTOBER 9th to 14th
Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy
President Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom
to Emilio and Gloria Estefan
-------------------------------------------------
IN-PERSON SOR RUSH TICKETS
A limited number of $40 Rush tickets will be available for every performance beginning 2 hours prior to curtain at the SHN Orpheum Theatre Box Office. Tickets are subject to availability. Cash only. 2 per person. Rush tickets are void if resold.
MOBILE RUSH TICKETS
Download the TodayTix app in the iOS App Store or Google Play Store to unlock the Rush ticketing feature by sharing on Facebook or Twitter through the app. Check back in the app at 9am for access to exclusive day-of $40 Rush tickets for every performance.
Gloria Estefan -1991 American Music Awards Comeback
