Ektor Rivera Will Join the Cast of ON YOUR FEET! This July

Producers James L. Nederlander, Estefan Enterprises, Inc and Bernie Yuman just announced that acclaimed Puerto Rican performer Ektor Rivera - winner of the Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony and Simon Fuller reality series "Q'Viva! The Chosen" - to make his Broadway debut as Emilio Estefan in ON YOUR FEET!, the new Broadway musical based on the life story of seven-time GRAMMY® winning international superstar Gloria Estefan and her husband, 19-time GRAMMY® winning producer-musician-entrepreneur Emilio Estefan. Rivera joins Theater World Award-winning Cuban-American actress Ana Villafañe, named one of The Hollywood Reporter's top Broadway Breakout Stars of the Year for her "star-is-born, supernova debut" (Deadline) as Gloria Estefan.

A musical theater star in Puerto Rico, Rivera has appeared in productions of Rent, Hairspray, Godspell, Piaf, High School Musical, The Outsiders and The Mousetrap (San Juan Performing Arts Center and Tapia Theater). Stateside, he has appeared in Broadway and Beyond (Richard Jay-Alexander dir./Walt Disney Theater) and Q'Viva! The Chosen (Jamie King dir./ Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas), in which he was cast from the reality television show of the same name, produced by Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony and Simon Fuller. Rivera has appeared in films and additional television programs including "Incógnita," Nene Lindo, "Jimmy Kimmel Live," numerous national and international advertising campaigns. Ektor is also an established visual artist.

Gloria Estefan has sold over 100 million records and sold out stadiums around the world. Emilio and Gloria Estefan together have won 26 GRAMMY® Awards. But their music is only half the story. From the heart of Havana to the streets of Miami came a cultural phenomenon unlike anything the music industry had ever seen. ON YOUR FEET! is a new Broadway musical that follows the Estefans' journey to superstardom, set to their chart-topping, smash hits, including "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You," "Conga," "1-2-3," "Get On Your Feet," "Mi Tierra," Don't Want To Lose You Now," and "Reach," in addition to an original song written by Gloria and her daughter Emily Estefan. ON YOUR FEET! opened on Broadway on Thursday, November 5, 2015, following preview performances which began onMonday, October 5, 2015, at the Marquis Theatre in New York City. The musical is directed by two-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Hairspray) and choreographed by Tony Award® nominee & Olivier Award winner Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis), with an original book by Academy Award® winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman, The Bodyguard Musical).

The cast also stars Drama Desk Award winner Andréa Burns (In The Heights) as Gloria's mother, Gloria Fajardo; Alma Cuervo (Beauty and the Beast) as Gloria's grandmother, Consuelo; Alexandria Suarez & Fabi Aguirre as Little Gloria; and Eduardo Hernandez &Kevin Tellez as Nayib/Young Emilio. Rounding out the ensemble are Karmine Alers, Yassmin Alers, David Baida, Angelica Beliard, Natalie Caruncho, Henry Gainza, Linedy Genao, Carlos E. Gonzalez, Nina Lafarga, Genny Lis Padilla, Omar Lopez-Cepero, Hector Maisonet, Marielys Molina, Doreen Montalvo, Eliseo Roman, Luis Salgado, Marcos Santana, Martín Solá, Brett Sturgis, Eric Ulloa, Tanairi Vasquez and Lee Zarrett.

Completing the creative team are four-time Tony-nominated Scenic Designer David Rockwell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde), Tony-nominated Costume Designer Emilio Sosa (Porgy & Bess), Tony Award-winning Lighting Designer Kenneth Posner (Wicked, Hairspray), Tony Award-winning Sound Designer Steve Kennedy (Lady Day, Guys and Dolls), Projections by Darrel Maloney, and Hair & Wig Designer Chuck LaPointe (Beautiful, Newsies). With Music Direction by Lon Hoyt (Hairspray), Orchestrations by Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan, Dance Arrangements and Dance Orchestrations by Oscar Hernandez (The Capeman), the ON YOUR FEET! Orchestra includes several members of Miami Sound Machine.

ON YOUR FEET! is produced by James L. Nederlander and Estefan Enterprises, Inc. in partnership with Bernie Yuman. Now celebrating its 100th anniversary, the Nederlander Organization, led by James L. Nederlander, President, continues the tradition of operating historic theatres, as well as producing and presenting the best in theatrical entertainment and concert events. Bernie Yuman, an illustrious figure in the entertainment industry and long-time friend and business associate of the Estefans, will serve as Executive Producer. Yuman produced and managed Siegfried & Roy, one of the most successful and longest running shows in Las Vegas history.

Photo Credit: Caitlin McNaney