Review Roundup: Broadway-Bound ON YOUR FEET Opens in Chicago!

On Your Feet!, the new musical based on the life story of seven-time GRAMMY winning international superstar Gloria Estefan and her husband, legendary producer-musician-entrepreneur Emilio Estefan, is currently in its pre-Broadway World Premiere run in Chicago at the Oriental Theatre, playing now through July 5, 2015.

Directed by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Hairspray), On Your Feet! tells the story of two people who - through an unwavering dedication to one another and their pursuit of the American dream - showcased their talent, their music and their heritage to the world in a remarkable rise to global superstardom. Set to Gloria's chart-topping, smash hits such as "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You," "Conga," "1-2-3," "Get On Your Feet," "Don't Want To Lose You Now," and "Coming Out Of The Dark," in addition to new music penned by the Estefans, the musical will be choreographed by four-time Drama Desk nominee Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis) with a book by Academy Award nominee Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman film, The Bodyguard Musical).

Let's see what the critics had to say...

Rachel Weinberg, BroadwayWorld: Just as the music of Gloria and Emilio combines Latin rhythms and pop sensibilities, "On Your Feet!" succeeds in melding together the tradition of musical theater with the stylings of Latin music and dance. Trujillo's choreography is perhaps one of the best examples of this in the show, which gracefully incorporates salsa moves with the precision of jazz standards we find in most musicals. The dancing truly gives a distinct personality to the show, helping set the stage for the Latin pop crossover music it accompanies. As performed by Villafañe and the ensemble of "On Your Feet!," I found myself totally wrapped up in it. The inclusion of an original song by Gloria and daughter Emily that has the sound of a classic musical theater ballad plays nicely in the mix. David Rockwell's detailed-yet-flexible set design,Kenneth Posner's vibrant lighting design, and Esosa's lush and glittering costumes also add to the festive atmosphere of "On Your Feet!"

Steven Oxman, Variety: There is something comfortingly familiar and predictable about "On Your Feet!," the Broadway-bound new bio-musical featuring the story of Gloria Estefan and her music-producer husband Emilio. Another way to say that might be that it never goes deeper than the superficial and that its narrative follows a TV-movie template. But the show boasts sufficient sincerity with its schmaltz, and features a fluid, structurally sound story that strings together the Estefans' pop ballads with a ready dose of the buoyant Cuban-fusion dance numbers that sold kajillions of albums worldwide. It's a show sure to please the built-in audience that will find absolutely exactly the entertainment they expect, and even the less fully acquainted will find that the rhythm really is going to get you.

Kris Vire, TimeOut Chicago: The storytelling is so sophisticated it makes Motown the Musical look like a school pageant; in a sequence set during Gloria's long post-accident spinal surgery, there's even the pop-music equivalent of a dream ballet, with Sergio Trujillo's spectacular choreography calling back to itself in earlier scenes. And in Villafañe and Segarra, the show has deserving breakout stars. It feels a step too far to give the "perfect" five-star rating to a show that's bound to keep evolving before its October New York bow. But maybe it's enough to know I considered it. In the new Broadway season, On Your Feet! is one new entry with legs.

Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune: Here is what surprises, and what should sustain this show once it opens on Broadway in the fall, hopefully with its current weaknesses fixed: The bookwriter Alexander Dinelaris, the choreographer Sergio Trujillo and the director Jerry Mitchell have, together, not only avoided feathery excess and nostalgic 1980s schmaltz, they've created a show with a strikingly high amount of emotional intimacy.

Check back later for more reviews!

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy

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