'On Your Feet!' at Gala

Front, from left, Amy Romero, Gaby Albo (center), Miranda Pepin. Back, from left, Hugo Bruments, Steven Orrego Upegui, and Graciela Rey in Gala Hispanic Theatre's On Your Feet!/Photo, Daniel Martinez

Broadway is at Gala!

That's right: Gloria and Emilio Estefan's story comes alive at the Hispanic Theatre in a high-kickin', dynamic glossy show in the world premiere in Spanish of On Your Feet! (with English surtitles).

Fabulous dancing and outstanding, glittering costumes (by Jeannette Christensen, assisted by Cidney Forkpah which make you wonder how did they change so fast?) trace the Cuban-American couple's rise to stardom and 26 Grammy wins in this fast-paced production. 

Gaby Albo (center). From left, on the sides facing front: Brayan Llamoza and Steven Orrego Upegui and members of the cast in Gala Hispanic Theatre's On Your Feet!/Photo, Daniel Martinez

At the end the crowd was on its feet, stompin' and clappin' to join the cast in a fun and energetic display of the real show on Broadway where it ran two years before starting a world tour. 

Get up and make it happen
Stand up, stand up, stand up and take some action

It's a "jukebox musical" with popular Estefan titles including four which Gloria has enriched with new lyrics.

Gaby Albo is Gloria in a convincing performance to make her namesake proud. Samuel Garnica is her husband in a strong, subordinate role whose ego never wilts under his wife's glow.

From left, Fran Tapia, Gaby Albo, and Samuel Garnica in Gala Hispanic Theatre's On Your Feet!/Photo, Daniel Martinez

Some other best performances are those by women in Gloria's "family": Fran Tapia as Gloria's mother, Madelin Marchant is Gloria's grandmother, and 

Gina Maria Fernandez is Gloria's sister.

The mother is a mean woman encumbered by her own background and failure to pursue her dreams.  She resists and resents her daughter's climb to fame.  In flashbacks, Ms. Tapia shows age matters not when it comes to her incredible dance. 

Gloria's supportive Grandmother Consuelo counterbalances the mother with Consuelo's perfectly timed appearances to assure her granddaughter that her dreams can become real. 

The grandmother was an audience favorite but nothing exceeded the roar of the crowd at the end when the house almost came down at the sight of  youngsters "Little Gloria" (Kamila Rodriguez) and "Little Emilio" (Winsley Dejesus) dancing expertly in a duet to belie their young years. 

The wreck scene which left Gloria's life and career initially in doubt, is a jarring shock, smashing in your face and expertly crafted by Patrick Lord, assisted by Clara Ashe-Moore.

A huge international cast of happy actors included Jose Capellan starring as Jose Fajardo, Gloria's father, and ensemble members: Rodolfo Santamarina, Camila Cardona, Camila Taleisnik, Brayan Llamoza, Jonathan Mouset, Amy Romero, Miranda Pepin, Grant Latus, Carlos Adol, Hugo Brument, Steve Orrego Upegui, Luis Armando Benitez, Laura Castrillon, and Graciela Rey.

Dance captains Myriam Gadri and Bryan Menjivar assisted in choreography.

The production team included Alexander Dinelaries, book; Emilio and Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine, music producers; Esmeralda Azkarate-Gaztelu, book translation; Luis Salgado, director and choreographer.

Also,  Clifton Chadick, scenic design; Matthew Rowe, sound; George-Edward A. Burgtorf, properties; Lashawn Melton, wigs/makeup; Valeria Cossu, associate director. 

Lighting designer Christopher Annas-Lee and assistant Zachary Heffner deftly met the demands of the show.

Other crew members: Maria Jose ”Majo” Ferrucho, stage manager; P. Vanessa Losada, production manager; Heather Hogan, creative consultant;
Hugo Medrano, producer; and Rebecca Medrano, executive producer.

The 10-member band was led by pianist Walter “Bobby” McCoy and assisted by Daniel Gutierrez on keyboards. The musicians were partially hidden up high on either side of the theatre and at stage rear, producing surround sound indeed! 

Extra applause to trumpeter, Brad Clements, for his solos.   

This is a storybook tale that provides inspiration to all dreamers who may sometimes doubt their drive in struggles to reach the top, but hard work and persistence pay off.  Nothing is totally due to chance. 

Seize the opportunity and get on your feet and get to the theatre where a good time of outstanding fun and entertainment are guaranteed at Gala which makes a memorial mark in the history of theatre in Washington, D.C.

What: On Your Feet!


Covid vaccine card and picture ID required for admission or a negative covid test taken within 72 hours of the show.

When: Thursday - Sunday nights through June 5, 2022

Where: Gala Theatre, 3333 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010.

Tickets: $65, or seniors (ages 65+), students, teachers, military, and groups (10+), $45.  Ages 25 and under, $35. To purchase, visit galatheatre.org or call 202-234-7174.

Handicapped accessible

Duration: About two and a half hours with one intermission

Metro stations: Columbia Heights is one block from GALA. Or, get off Metro at McPherson Square, take bus #52 or #54 up 14th, or, walk the two miles from McPherson Square and save money and expend calories! Lots of places to eat along the way.

Parking:  Discounted parking at Giant's garage around the corner on Park Road. Validate your ticket in GALA's lobby. 

For more information: Call (202) 234-7174 and/or email info@galatheatre.org

patricialesli@gmail.com