Christie Prades News

As with each passing season, 2018 proved to be another exceptional year for theater not only in Souther California in general but also in Orange County---my home base. This year, the OC finally welcomed the debut of what has become this century's most awarded and most renowned stage musical ever about the Founding Father etched regally on the 10 dollar bill. Meanwhile, So. Cal. enjoyed a powerful surge of new stage works that explored Asian-American experiences, a positive step forward in the presentation of diverse voices we seldom hear from on the stage. A pair of touring musicals---both opening in the O.C. in early 2019---made such an impact in their Los Angeles engagements for me personally that I had to include them in my list, even though I have not 'officially' reviewed the productions for print. With that said, here is my 'Best of 2018' from Orange County and adjacent locales nearby---a mixture of outstanding shows and brilliant performances that made a lasting, memorable imprint in my theatergoing experience this year.

The touring company production of ON YOUR FEET! (The Emilio & Gloria Estefan Broadway Musical) personifies the evolution of 80's Cuban-pop music by the Miami Sound Machine.

In a time of national uncertainty and division, it is refreshing to witness a story of what America means to me-unlimited possibilities for everyone, regardless of race, gender, or creed. It used to be known as a land of refuge and hope, and the rags-to-riches story of Cuban immigrants Gloria and Emilio Estefan gives me hope that we will return to a place that welcomes the tired and poor huddled masses while, at the same time, celebrating our diversity in a melting pot of the free and the brave. Because really, what is braver than leaving a country that you know to set upon an unknown shore with only a promise of opportunity?

Broadway On Tour is pleased to announce that the Sacramento engagement of the hit Broadway musical ON YOUR FEET! - 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 - stars Cuban-American Broadway actress Christie Prades as Gloria Estefan, and acclaimed Puerto Rican performer and Broadway star Ektor Rivera as Emilio Estefan.

Who hasn't danced around their home to the fabulous tunes of Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine knowing that the 'Rhythm is Gonna Get You'? I know I have. (Don't judge.) And really if you too have any kind of affinity for their hot Latin rhythms then their bio-musical 'On Your Feet!', currently playing at the Paramount, will be for you. Maybe not the most engaging story, but oh those hips.

Broadway San Jose is serving up some hot Latin Salsa with the hit Broadway show 'On Your Feet,' a jukebox musical that follows the life -- and rise to stardom -- of Gloria and Emilio Estefan and their band, Miami Sound Machine.

KeyBank Broadway at The Paramount is pleased to announce that the Seattle engagement of the hit Broadway musical ON YOUR FEET! - based on the life story of seven-time GRAMMY Award winning international superstar Gloria Estefan and her husband, 19-time GRAMMY Award winning producer-musician-entrepreneur Emilio Estefan - stars Cuban-American Broadway actress Christie Prades as Gloria Estefan, and acclaimed Puerto Rican performer Ektor Rivera - winner of the Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony and Simon Fuller reality series 'Q'Viva! The Chosen' - as Emilio Estefan.

The First National Tour of ON YOUR FEET! celebrated one year of performances on Saturday, September 22 at the SHN Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco.

I believe the best way to describe the sensation one gets when experiencing the Broadway stage musical adaptation of multi-platinum selling recording artist Gloria Estefan's life story is to actually use one of her very famous songs: "The Rhythm is Gonna Get You." That is exactly what happens to an ecstatic audience in attendance of ON YOUR FEET!, the infectiously high-energy 2015 jukebox musical chronicling the professional and personal lives of Gloria and Emilio Estefan, arguably the Latin music world's most successful power couple responsible for bringing their Miami-honed Cuban-fusion sounds to worldwide acclaim. After a year on the road, the musical has finally made its way to Orange County's Segerstrom Center for the Arts, where it continues its two-week engagement in Costa Mesa through September 2.

Icon. A word of only four letters, and yet it holds so much weight for many people. It is not hard to think of musical icons: Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, even Britney Spears. Among the elite is also Gloria Estefan, whose own personal life is on full display in the latest show to come to DCPA, On Your Feet!

Puerto Rican singer, actor, and visual artist Ektor Rivera, who made his Broadway debut playing Emilio Estefan in the hit musical 'On Your Feet!' in 2016, has joined the same show's first national tour. He reprises his Broadway role in 'On Your Feet!' for a limited time only, until next Sunday, August 19, 2018, at the Buell Theatre at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.

ON YOUR FEET! currently has audiences leaping to theirs at the show's stop at the Denver Center. Check out a 360 view of the show's curtain call below. 

ON YOUR FEET playing at the San Diego Civic Theatre through Sunday, August 5th is not only a vibrantly entertaining show with fantastic dancing, but it has one hell of a built in soundtrack with the hits from Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine.

BroadwayWorld has an inside look at the opening night celebrations of ON YOUR FEET at the Hollywood Pantages featuring Gloria And Emilio Estefan, and more! 

Called a Jukebox Musical, On Your Feet! is so much more. It is the true story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. At 17 in 1970s Miami, Gloria Fajardo met record producer and musician extraordinaire Emilio and they fell in love at first sight. Estefan recognized Gloria's supreme singing artistry and chose her as the female vocalist in his all male Latino boy group that later grew into the Miami Sound Machine. This story, via Emilio and Gloria's music, tells a  rich nd passionate story of how two unknown Cubans made it to the top, but not without tragedy and sorrow. Currently onstage at the Hollywood Pantages through July 29 only, this national touring production consists of a dynamic ensemble under the outstanding direction of Jerry Mitchell.

Be sure to watch 'The Talk' this Tuesday, July 10, on CBS to see an appearance by Gloria and Emilio Estefan and a performance by the touring cast of On Your Feet!

ON YOUR FEET! opened last night at The Bushnell Performing Arts Center in Hartford, Connecticut, bringing the story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan to the stage, and the audience to their feet.

The rhythm is gonna get you when you attend the first musical of the CLO's 72nd season. On Your Feet!, the real-life story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, is crammed with dozens of Latin-infused hits spanning more than three decades. The biomusical is hip, glitzy, extravagant, and theatrical, all the while maintaining a consistent storyline that offers welcomed depth and insight to the show.

It's more like a party than a musical...it's that much fun!

Pittsburgh CLO is proud to open the 2018 Summer Season with the Pittsburgh premiere of Broadway sensation, ON YOUR FEET!, June 12-17 at the Benedum Center. Pittsburgh CLO remains steadfastly dedicated to the creation of new work, and co-produced the Broadway production of ON YOUR FEET! as part of this ongoing commitment. Pittsburgh CLO has brought over 20 new shows to their "Feet" on the Broadway stage, including the recent productions of An American in Paris, Kinky Boots, Matilda The Musical and many others.