On Your Feet!, the musical based on the life of iconic pop star Gloria Estefan, will be opening on Broadway in the fall of 2015 after a tryout run in Chicago, the producers announced yesterday. Jerry Mitchell, director and choreographer of last year's Best Musical Tony winner "Kinky Boots," will direct, Sergio Trujillo (Memphis) will choreograph and the book is by Alexander Dinelaris (Zanna, Don't!).
As we reported a few weeks ago, cast members playing the singer at two different stages of her life will be chosen through a TV reality show competition.
Gloria Estefan's life has had its share of stageworthy drama. In 1990, the Cuban-born singer and songwriter was riding a crest of pop chart success (and touring to support an album that included the single "Get On Your Feet") when a collision between her tour bus and a truck fractured her spine. Only after terrible pain and lengthy physical therapy was she able to return to performing.
Estefan's hits include "Conga," "1-2-3," "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You," "Mi Tierra" and a hit cover of "Turn the Beat Around." The producers--The Nederlander group, Estefan Enterprises and Bernie Yuman--are hoping to capitalize on the success of recent jukebox bio-musicals like Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Jersey Boys to launch a franchise that could tour after a successful Broadway run.
