By Kimberly Harper
If you’re looking for a positive, entertaining night out with a hot band and some great dancing, “On Your Feet: The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan” is bound to kick any winter blues to the curb. What it lacks in story line (there is one, but it’s kind of sparse and anyway, you’re not going for the plot) it makes up for with tremendous talent, strong musical numbers and excellent choreography.
We start in 1990 at one of Estefan’s concerts (pre-bus accident) and quickly flash back to 1960s/70s Miami. From there, the entire first act follows Estefan as she decides to pursue singing over a psychology career (despite discouragement from her well-educated, bitter mother), pushing the boundaries that typically confined Latin musicians of the day. Latin singers don’t sing in English, they don’t get Top 40 coverage on mainstream radio, they aren’t women, etc., etc. Despite her mother’s protests, Estefan, with the help of fellow bandmate and future husband Emilio, begins doggedly breaking down those walls, and a star is born. Act 1 ends with a vibrant, hilarious montage detailing their efforts to get “Conga” played on the radio, and, if you’re in orchestra on the aisle, you just may be pulled into the fun.
Act 2 mostly centers around the bus accident that nearly killed Estefan and her Herculean efforts to recover and get back on stage. It’s sentimental without being saccharine, and anyone who was a fan in the ‘90s is probably going to feel a tug on their heartstrings as she takes the stage again. Throughout, we’re treated to glimpses of Estefan’s family life and her romance with Emilio. There isn’t much to the plot, but what’s there is done well.
The songs, except one original number, all come from Estefan’s repertoire, although are frequently sung by different characters. It’s a fun way to remember some of the biggest hits from her heyday. The original song, “If I Never Got to Tell You,” was written by Estefan and her daughter, and has a definite musical theater vibe, doing a nice job bridging the two genres of music.
Christie Prades is as good an Estefan as you could ever want. She’s got the voice and movements down pat, and has the acting chops to pull everything together. Mauricio Martinez is excellent in his own right, with a strong tenor voice and the added bonus of great comic timing. Nancy Ticotin plays Estefan’s mother, a woman who could have been a star in her own right once upon a time, who has earned advanced degrees and held her family together through war and illness. We get to see her vocal talent in several breakout moments, each one breathtaking. Claudia Yanez as Estefan’s younger sister, Rebecca, also has an incredible set of pipes. I wish we could have heard more of her. And Jordan Vergara, who plays the Estefans’ son along with a couple of other bit parts, can really dance. The ensemble is tight, a group of excellent singers and even better dancers who make the show a pleasure to watch.
Overall, this is a fun, bright show with serious heart. Stay through the bows (you should anyway), the song medley there is excellent and the band is really cooking. Fans of Estefan’s work will be especially glad they came out.
“On Your Feet!: The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan” runs through Sunday, Feb. 4, at the Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St., Providence. Tickets are start at $42 and may be obtained at the box office, online at ppacri.org or by calling 401-421-2787.
