Review: ON YOUR FEET at Straz Center For The Performing Arts

It's not easy making the transition from radio to stage. Many shows have succeeded in that venture but unfortunately many have not. A popular song on the radio doesn't always make for a great musical; however On Your Feet is the brilliant exception.

Book master Alexander Dinelaris, (Birdman, The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance, The Revenant), who worked his magic on The Bodyguard, blessed On Your Feet with his caliber of up scaling the typical jukebox musical. The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan offers all the great songs you remember combined with smoldering choreography by Sergio Trujillo, slick direction by Jerry Mitchell and a full band that will literally bring you to your feet. It's a beautiful illustration of the sacrifices they broke through in order to make it in the recording industry. Then once accepted their label tried to pigeonhole them into staying within the Latin market while Emilio fought to crossover.

Christie Prades (Gloria) and Mauricio Martinez (Emilio) were sizzling together. While watching Miss Prades you will have to remind yourself you are not at a Gloria Estefan concert. She's got all the right moves, vocal abilities and style. Mauricio plays proud-as-a-peacock Emilio strutting his stuff as well as great business sense all over the stage. One memorable line from the show takes place in a record label execs office after Emilio demands a fifty million dollar contract, (that even Madonna didn't get). After it was signed one of the execs says to Emilio, "how do you sit down with balls that big?" Priceless. There were so many great one-liners in this show.

There are tender scenes that draw you in and lovingly pay tribute to family members. Gloria's grandmother Consuelo (Alma Cuervo), her main source of inspiration and promotion, stole the show. It's hard to watch the abrasive treatment Gloria receives from her mother Gloria Fajardo that showcased a sterling performance by Nancy Ticotin. You learn later in the show about that dynamic and why she seemed to try and stand in the way of her daughter's career. The death of her father, who Gloria lovingly cared for, was so touching.

The scenic design skillfully staged by David Rockwell and award-winning lighting by design guru Kenneth Posner cleverly transition the audience through various record covers, fan letters and world tours. The lights are exceptionally exhilarating during the concert performance settings.

Anyone who knows this story knows "the accident" is coming. The night her tour bus was struck by a semi was carefully portrayed with sensitivity and compassion. Her road to recovery and triumphant returns to the stage at the American Music Awards was inspirational and tear jerking.

From the highly talented children who played younger versions of the Estefans to the ensemble as a whole, this show will not disappoint. The music is infectious to the point where people were forming conga lines as they exited the theatre while the full band remained playing on stage.

Get a ticket. Get in your car. Get to the theatre. And get On Your Feet!

On Your Feet plays through October 29, 2017 At the Straz Center Tampa in Morsani Hall.

Congratulation to The Straz, President/CEO Judith Lisi and Chairman Gary Sasso celebrating their 30th anniversary bringing the best shows to the Tampa area. For more information on the Straz and their awesome 2017-2018 lineup of shows visit www.strazcenter.org.

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