Its world-premiere engagement, starring Ana Villafañe and Josh Segarra, opened this summer at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago. On Your Feet! will officially open on Broadway Nov. 5 under the direction of two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell.
Villafañe, a Cuban-American singer, dancer and actress from Miami, was chosen through an open audition process and makes her Broadway debut in the show. A lifelong fan of Gloria Estefan – who even attended the same Miami high school as the pop star – Villafañe learned of the Miami open casting call last fall and, although she was unable to attend, sent the casting office a video audition. Within three days, she was called to audition for Jerry Mitchell and the Estefans, and cast in the show.
Segarra appeared Off-Broadway in the original cast of the musical Dogfight as Boland, and made his Broadway debut in Lysistrata Jones in 2011. He also played the role of cop Billy Cepeda on the USA Network comedy "Sirens."
The musical, according to press notes, is "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." It features such hits as "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You," "1-2-3," "Mi Tierra" and "Conga," in addition to new music penned by the Estefans. The show is choreographed by four-time Drama Desk nominee and Olivier Award winner Sergio Trujillo with a book by Academy Award winner Alexander Dinelaris.
The cast also features Drama Desk Award winner Andréa Burns (In The Heights) as Gloria Fajardo, Gloria's mother; Alma Cuervo (Beauty and the Beast) as Consuelo, Gloria's grandmother; Alexandria Suarez as Little Gloria; and Eduardo Hernandez as Nayib/Young Emilio.
Rounding out the cast are Fabi Aguirre, Karmine Alers, Yassmin Alers, David Baida, Natalie Caruncho, Henry Gainza, Linedy Genao, Carlos E. Gonzalez, Nina Lafarga, Genny Lis Padilla, Omar Lopez-Cepero, Hector Maisonet, Marielys Molina, Doreen Montalvo, Liz Ramos, Eliseo Roman, Luis Salgado, Marcos Santana, Martín Solá, Jennifer Sanchez, Brett Sturgis, Kevin Tellez, Eric Ulloa, Tanairi Vasquez and Lee Zarrett.
Read the Playbill.com feature with the Alers sisters of On Your Feet!, whose road to the show included Karmine's battle with brain surgery.
Other members of the creative team include 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) and Tony Award-winning sound designer Steve Kennedy (Lady Day, Guys and Dolls). Projections are by Darrel Maloney, and hair and wig design are by 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.
Visit OnYourFeetMusical.com.
Watch Playbill.com's interviews with the creators and stars:
