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On Your Feet
DIRECTED BY TWO-TIME TONY AWARD® WINNER JERRY MITCHELL
CHOREOGRAPHED BY OLIVIER AWARD NOMINEE SERGIO TRUJILLO
ORIGINAL BOOK BY ACADEMY AWARD® WINNER ALEXANDER DINELARIS
PERFORMANCES BEGIN JUNE 2, 2015
AT CHICAGO’S ORIENTAL THEATRE
Following an international casting search, Broadway In Chicago and producers James L. Nederlander, Estefan Enterprises, Inc and Bernie Yuman are pleased to announce the cast for ON YOUR FEET! – the new Broadway musical based on the life story of seven-time GRAMMY® winning international superstar Gloria Estefan and her husband, legendary producer-musician-entrepreneur Emilio Estefan. Ana Villafañe will make her Broadway debut as Gloria Estefan opposite Josh Segarra as Emilio Estefan. ON YOUR FEET! begins performances in Chicago on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at the Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph). The musical, directed by two-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Hairspray), choreographed by Olivier Award nominee Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis) with a book by Academy Award winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman film, The Bodyguard Musical) will open on Broadway on Thursday, November 5, 2015, with preview performances beginning Monday, October 5, 2015 at the Marquis Theatre in New York City.
In the fall of 2014, the production launched an international casting search, Reach Gloria (#ReachGloria) which offered performers around the world a chance to audition for the cast of ON YOUR FEET!. Thousands of Broadway hopefuls – from Los Angeles, to Australia, to Colombia, to Singapore – auditioned for roles by submitting videos online, or attending one of two open casting calls held in New York City and the Estefans’ home-city of Miami, Florida.
Ana Villafañe, a Cuban-American singer, dancer and actress from Miami, makes her Broadway debut in ON YOUR FEET!. A long-time 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.
“She walked into the room, and I immediately thought to myself – ‘this is it’,” said director Jerry Mitchell. “Not only was she beautifully reminiscent of a young Gloria, but she embodied her energy and spirit in such a captivating way. And then she fully rose to the occasion by giving a sensational audition.”
Villafañe’s film and television credits include: the award-winning Magic City Memoirs (executive producer Andy Garcia), “Los Americans” (alongside Esai Morales, Lupe Ontiveros and Raymond Cruz) created by Dennis Leoni (“Resurrection Boulevard”), Hiding (Anchor Bay), the upcoming Hulu Original Series “South Beach: Fever” set in her native Miami, and the female lead in the highly anticipated superhero feature film Max Steel (Mattel), set for global release in summer 2015.
Josh Segarra has made a name for himself on the New York stage in roles such as 'Boland' in Second Stage Theater's Dogfight directed by Joe Mantello, and as 'Mick' in the Broadway and Off-Broadway runs of the critically-acclaimed Lysistrata Jones. His extensive television work includes a current starring role as 'Billy Cepeda' in the comedy series “Sirens” for USA, a recurring role on NBC’s “Chicago PD”, a series regular on PBS's “The Electric Company, and guest appearances in the Emmy-winning Showtime series “Homeland” and FOX’s “The Following”. This summer, he’ll appear in the Judd Apatow feature film Trainwreck.
“It’s a rare and wonderful thing when you find an actor who wholly matches the material,” said Mitchell. “Josh has been a part of this project since the very first reading, and brings such an incomparable spark, passion, and humor to the role of Emilio, that we held onto him with all our might.”
The cast will also feature 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, Noah Johnston as little Emilio, Felix Monge, Karmine Alers, Yassmin Alers, David Baida, Natalie Caruncho, Henry Gainza, Lee Zarrett, Linedy Genao, Carlos Gonzales, Nina Lafarga, Genny Lis Padilla, Omar Lopez-Cepero, Hector Maisonet, Marielys Molina, Doreen Montalvo, Liz Ramos, Eliseo Roman, Luis Salgado, Marcos Santana, Martin Sola, Brett Sturgis, Eric Ulloa, and Tanairi Vasquez.
The creative team includes three-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 and 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 will include several members of The Miami Sound Machine.
ON YOUR FEET! 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. The musical is 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.
Ticket Information
Tickets for ON YOUR FEET! at the Oriental Theatre are on sale now. Group tickets for 10 or more are available by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710. Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St., 18 W. Monroe St. and 175 E. Chestnut), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000, all Ticketmaster retail locations and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
For more information, please visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com or www.OnYourFeetMusical.com.
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.
BIOGRAPHIES:
With seven Grammy Awards and over 100 million albums sold worldwide, GLORIA ESTEFAN is the most successful Latin crossover performer in the history of pop music. In addition to her chart-topping hit songs "Conga," “The Rhythm is Going To Get You" and "1, 2, 3," among others, Gloria recorded the Oscar-nominated song "Music Of My Heart," and has received numerous honors and awards over the course of her illustrious career. She has been presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, named BMI Songwriter of the Year, and received an American Music Award for Lifetime Achievement, an MTV Video Music Award, two ACE Awards, and multiple Billboard Awards for her many chart-topping hits. Gloria has also been honored with the Ellis Island Congressional Medal of Honor (the highest award that can be given to a naturalized U.S. citizen), the Hispanic Heritage Award, and the National Music Foundation's Humanitarian of the Year Award.
EMILIO ESTEFAN is a world-renowned music, television and film producer who has been instrumental in shaping, developing and directing the careers of his superstar wife, Gloria, as well as Shakira, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony and Jon Secada among many others. With a resume that includes over 30 Grammy nominations and 19 Grammy Awards, Emilio has experimented and pushed the envelope of blending Latin, pop and world rhythms creating a unique style and personality that has created chart-topping worldwide hits. It is this vision that transcends the music field and spills over into film, television, hotels and restaurants, among other business endeavors including being the first Cuban-born couple to own a minority stake in the Miami Dolphins, a major NFL Franchise.
JERRY MITCHELL received the Tony Award in recognition of his choreography for the 2013 Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Kinky Boots, for which his direction was also recognized with a Tony nomination. In the 33 preceding years, Jerry has been involved with over 50 Broadway, Off-Broadway, West End and touring productions. His Broadway debut as a choreographer, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, was followed by The Full Monty (Tony nomination), The Rocky Horror Show, Hairspray (Tony nomination), Gypsy, Never Gonna Dance (Tony nomination), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Tony & Olivier nominations), La Cage Aux Folles (Tony Award), Imaginary Friends, Legally Blonde (Tony nomination), which he also directed, and Catch Me If You Can. Most recently, Jerry received the Drama League’s Founders’ Award for Excellence in Directing and the George Abbott Lifetime Achievement Award from his peers. Twenty-three years ago, Jerry conceived and created Broadway Bares, a comedy burlesque show performed annually for the charity Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. He continues to serve as Executive Producer of Broadway Bares, with a book, website and satellite productions in Fire Island Pines, Las Vegas (Peepshow, in a five year run) and London (West End Bares).
SERGIO TRUJILLO is an internationally-recognized choreographer whose work has been seen all across North America, Europe and Asia. In 2011, Mr. Trujillo had the honor of having four shows simultaneously running on Broadway: Tony Award® winning Best Musical Memphis (OCC Award; Olivier, Astaire, Drama Desk Award noms.), Tony and Olivier Award® winning Best Musical Jersey Boys (Olivier, Drama Desk, Dora, OCC Award nominations), The Addams Family and the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Next to Normal (Lucille Lortel Award nomination). Additional Broadway credits include Hands On A Hardbody, Leap of Faith (Drama Desk, Astaire nominations), All Shook Up and Guys and Dolls (Astaire Award nomination). In 2010, he made his debut as a director with the rock musical White Noise at Chicago’s Royal George Theater, and directed and choreographed Flashdance: The Musical, currently on national tour. His Off-Broadway work includes Saved (Lucille Lortel nom.), The Capeman, Romeo & Juliet (Public), A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Kismet (Encores!). His international credits include Disney’s Tarzan (World Theatre Award nom.), West Side Story, The Sound of Music (Stratford) and Peggy Sue Got Married (West End). In 2012, Mr. Trujillo was chosen by the Colombian government as one of the top 100 Colombians in the world.
ALEXANDER DINELARIS is currently represented in London's West End by the hit musical production of The Bodyguard at the Adelphi Theatre, and recently won an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay as co-writer of the 2015 Academy Award-winning Best Picture Birdman starring Michael Keaton and directed by Alejandro González-Iñarrítu. Other recent works include his plays Red Dog Howls (New York Theater Workshop), Still Life (Manhattan Class Company), In This, Our Time (59e59) and The Chaos Theories (Shotgun Theater), as well as the original screenplay The Year of the Monarchs. Dinelaris was nominated for two Drama Desk Awards for his work on the additional book and lyrics of the Off-Broadway hit Zanna Don't! He is currently writing and co-producing a new dramatic television series with Mr. Iñarrítu entitled, “The One Percent”. A member of the Writer’s Guild, the Dramatists Guild and NYTW’s Usual Suspects, Dinelaris attended Barry University, where he was the winner of the Mac McKindree Scholarship for theatre.
@OnYourFeetBway
ON YOUR FEET! "THE JOURNEY TO BROADWAY"
VIDEO SERIES
Episode 1: "Here We Are"
Episode 2: “Writing the Show”
Episode 3: "Casting the Story"
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