Each Thursday, Midday's peripatetic theater critic, J. Wynn Rousuck, joins us with a review of one of the region's many theatrical offerings. This week, she's spotlighting On Your Feet!, the new touring musical production based on the life and career of Cuban pop sensations (and husband-and-wife team) Gloria and Emilio Estefan, that's now on stage at Baltimore's Hippodrome Theatre.
With Christie Prades and Mauricio Martinez in the lead roles, On Your Feet portrays the Estefan's humble beginnings in Cuba, and their ascent, after coming to America, to the pinnacle of the pop-music world. It shows us the near tragedies, too, including the life-changing 1990 bus crash that severely damaged Gloria's back and also injured other members of her family and band.
Energized by a score featuring more than two dozen of Emilio and Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine's iconic pop hits -- from "Conga" to "Turn the Beat Around" -- On Your Feet! tells the story of a pioneering and influential musical couple that faced adversity, and found a way to stay on their feet.
On Your Feet! is directed at the Hippodrome by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots), with choreography by Olivier Award winner Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys) and an original book by Academy Award winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman).
On Your Feet! continues at The Hippodrome through Sunday June 10.
