On Your Feet: Live - Original Broadway Cast Recording

Can a trunk musical about the lives of Hispanic pop stars Gloria and Emilio Estefan provide Broadway-level entertainment? It sounds like, based on the release of the cast recording to " On Your Feet: The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan," the answer is a shout-out-loud, Latin-infused, "Yes!"

The new musical, now playing at the Marquis Theater in Times Square stars Ana Villafa�e as the shy, young Gloria, who only semi-reluctantly begins fronting the "Miami Latin Boys," a local band-for-hire led by a charismatic young Emilio, also of Cuban descent (played with a Don Corleone-type accent by Josh Segarra), as the two begin a professional and personal relationship that will last over four decades (and continues in the present).

The live recording, unusual for a Broadway cast recording, allows us into the theater to catch all the post-song applause, and to listen to some of the catchy repartee that happens, usually involving Emilio regarding either his unyielding pursuit to promote his band, or in his awkward attempts to turn his lead singer into his mate. It's endearing to hear, and leaves us wanting more on the recording, which is probably the point.

The music, especially for those familiar with the hits of Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine, are performed at their horn-filled, hip-swaying best. With members of MSM in the pit orchestra, the grooves on such classics as "1-2-3," "Rhythm is Gonna Get You," and "Conga," are enjoyable production numbers, that go to prove how the group was able to evolve from a Latin function-band into a multi-million selling, international success.

The story covers the period from the initial meeting of the power couple through the terrible bus accident in 1990 that left Gloria with two broken vertebrae, requiring back surgery and a year of physical therapy, through her welcomed comeback at the 1993 American Music Awards, where she performed her latest hit, "Coming Out of the Dark," which provides the recording's finale as well. It's no surprise that a Mega Mix was included as the last track, as the Estefan sound has always been about getting the audiences up and dancing.

A powerful moment comes when Emilio (Segarra) and Gloria's mother (played by Andrea Burns), are at Gloria's bedside after the bus crash, questioning whether she will survive and sing, "If I Never Got to Tell You," a duet penned by the real Gloria and her daughter, Emily, who wasn't born until after the time the musical takes place. It provides a sentimental bridge between Gloria and Emilio's relentless pursuit of pop success, and their progression into artistic royalty that is embraced upon those who have shown tenacity and grace towards the industry and their fans throughout the years.

If you're interested in how the act's music has been translated into the Broadway format, then "On Your Feet - The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan" is a necessity for your collection.

"On Your Feet: The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan"
CD and digital availability
$11.88
www.masterworksbroadway.com