So this year I decided to start what I hope will become a new post-holiday tradition: doing something special when January rolls around. This past weekend, I decided to drive to New York City to see a Broadway show. I've been wanting to see "On Your Feet," the new musical based on the life story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan, ever since I heard about it a few months ago.
Taking in the show, I learned a lot about Gloria and Emilio Estefan, as portrayed by actors Ana Villafane and Ektor Rivera.
At one point early on in Miami Sound Machine's career, a record executive tells Emilio that the company doesn't plan to spend a lot of money promoting the group because they're too Latin to appeal to "mainstream" radio, and too mainstream to appeal to the Latin market.
Emilio stands up to the condescending executive, telling him that the group does, indeed, deserve support because they represent a large segment of the population and "this is what an American looks like" - a line that drew enthusiastic applause.
As a creative person myself, it was inspiring to watch the Estefans fighting to make their dreams come true and their determination to reach the widest audience possible.
In the hospital after the 1990 tour bus accident that nearly paralyzed Gloria, she sings the song "Famous" from her 2003 "Unwrapped" album, reflecting on the downside of success: "Curiously, I didn't set out to be... famous..."
The most inspiring aspect of "On Your Feet" is the show's diverse casting. Reflecting the Estefans' Cuban heritage, the show features performers of every shade - black, white and brown. This diversity was reflected in the audience. After the very divisive campaign season of the past year and a half, it was a healing and empowering experience to be surrounded by people of all races, ages and backgrounds for the sole purpose of celebrating the power of art and unity.
"On Your Feet" is everything a Broadway musical should be: an engaging story, world-class singing and dancing, and a talented, multicultural, multigenerational cast. It's an uplifting, feel-good show that is sure to get you clapping along and tapping your feet to Estefan's vast catalog of radio-friendly hits.
An interesting coincidence is that the exact same weekend, my longtime friend Tara and her family also ventured to New York to see "Jersey Boys," which is based on the lives of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. It was a "happy accident" that we both chose the same weekend to see Broadway shows based on the lives of legends whose music will endure for generations to come.
Emilio stands up to the condescending executive, telling him that the group does, indeed, deserve support because they represent a large segment of the population and "this is what an American looks like" - a line that drew enthusiastic applause.
As a creative person myself, it was inspiring to watch the Estefans fighting to make their dreams come true and their determination to reach the widest audience possible.
"On Your Feet" cleverly weaves in many of the Estefans' biggest hits as the story of their rise to fame unfolds. Emilio sweetly croons "I See Your Smile" to Gloria when they're just getting to know each other and she initially resists his overtures: "I've taken too many chances... Tell me if I've made the wrong advances..."
In the hospital after the 1990 tour bus accident that nearly paralyzed Gloria, she sings the song "Famous" from her 2003 "Unwrapped" album, reflecting on the downside of success: "Curiously, I didn't set out to be... famous..."
The most inspiring aspect of "On Your Feet" is the show's diverse casting. Reflecting the Estefans' Cuban heritage, the show features performers of every shade - black, white and brown. This diversity was reflected in the audience. After the very divisive campaign season of the past year and a half, it was a healing and empowering experience to be surrounded by people of all races, ages and backgrounds for the sole purpose of celebrating the power of art and unity.
"On Your Feet" is everything a Broadway musical should be: an engaging story, world-class singing and dancing, and a talented, multicultural, multigenerational cast. It's an uplifting, feel-good show that is sure to get you clapping along and tapping your feet to Estefan's vast catalog of radio-friendly hits.
An interesting coincidence is that the exact same weekend, my longtime friend Tara and her family also ventured to New York to see "Jersey Boys," which is based on the lives of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. It was a "happy accident" that we both chose the same weekend to see Broadway shows based on the lives of legends whose music will endure for generations to come.
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