Get On Your Feet! - Gloria Estefan musical heading to Broadway?
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London Theatre Direct
(Updated on Apr 4, 2019)
Apparently in the planning stages for over a decade, The Stage reports that a long-mooted Gloria Estefan musical based on the Latin singer and her husband Emilio's life story is now picking up speed. It is said that the husband and wife team have paired up with Broadway production company the Nederlander Organistaion to formalise plans for the show.
On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan
The production is still in the early planning stages but would be an autobiographical journey through the Estefans' lives and would no doubt feature a string of Gloria's hits, both from her time as a solo star and with her group Miami Sound Machine. Miami Sound Machine ruled the airwaves in the 1980s with hits such as Conga, Dr Beat, Anything For You, Rhythm Is Gonna Get You and Can't Stay Away From You. Gloria was quickly placed front and focus in the band, which eventually led to the group's breakup so that she could forge a solo career.
Known as the Queen of Latin Pop, she has notched up over 90 million worldwide record sales and is the most successful Latin crossover star of all time, scoring hits on both the Latin and mainstream charts. As a solo artist she is known for classic tracks such as Don't Wanna Lose You, Coming Out Of The Dark, Go Away and Reach, the official theme of the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. She fractured her spine after a semi-truck crashed into her tour bus in a snowstorm in 1990. Two titanium rods were permanently inserted into her back and she had to embark on a year of gruelling physical therapy, but triumphantly returned to the stage just 10 months after her critical accident.
Gloria became romantically involved with her Miami Sound Machine bandleader Emilio Estefan in 1976, her "first and only boyfriend", and they married two years later. After Miami Sound Machine disbanded Emilio moved into production and has worked extensively since with artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin and Shakira. In 2010 he wrote and produced a Spanish-language version of We Are The World, approved by Quincy Jones. He assembled an array of Latin stars to record the track, Somos El Mundo, the proceeds of which went to victims of the Haiti earthquake. As of 2011 the Estefan's personal net worth has been estimated at around $700million.
Commenting on the show's plans, the Estefans said: "We are very excited to share this story, which is based on hope, determination and the belief that with hard work and passion, our dreams can become reality. Our music has been a true reflection of who we are, where we came from and the journey that has brought us to where we are today."
Jukebox musicals such as Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You and Jersey Boys have filled the West End theatres in recent years, but have often been criticised for being an 'easy option' by producers and have been accused of stifling creativity. The recent poor reception to the Spice Girls musical Viva Forever has been claimed by many as the beginning of the end of the stranglehold that artist tie-in musicals have in the West End and on Broadway. One of the main criticisms of Viva Forever however has been the shunning of the compelling story of the group's rise to fame in favour of an original, and perhaps slightly outdated storyline. Perhaps keeping the Estefan's own story as an integral part of a musical featuring the couple's work will be the key to a Miami Sound Machine musical success.
Book tickets for Mamma Mia at the Novello Theatre here.
Updated 4 April 2019: Photo added for the West End premiere of On Your Feet! Book your tickets to the Gloria Estefan musical here.