Bold and brassy: Exuberant ‘On Your Feet!’ stars born to portray Gloria and Emilio Estefan’s rise to fame
“On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan” — 3 stars
Drury Lane Theatre’s regional premiere of “On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan” has much to recommend it, starting with its dynamic leading lady, Gaby Albo, who has played the role several times, most recently on a national tour in 2022.
She stars as pop and Latin superstar Gloria Estefan in the jukebox tuner, which chronicles the lives of the Cuban-American singer/songwriter and her composer/producer husband from their early days fronting a Miami show band to international stardom.
Directed and choreographed by Luis Salgado, Drury Lane’s production also features fine supporting performances, zesty production numbers and an infectious score including the hits “Rhythm is Gonna Get You,” “Don’t Wanna Lose You,” “Conga” and “1-2-3” played by music director Christopher Sargent’s bold and brassy onstage octet.
Book writer Alexander Dinelaris has crafted some sweet, funny scenes. One in particular — a pointed exchange between Emilio and a record company executive about what an American looks like, earned applause in 2015 when “On Your Feet!” premiered in Chicago. It resonates more profoundly in 2026. And on opening night at Drury Lane, it stopped the show.
The book, punctuated by flashbacks and some hokey fantasy sequences, is formulaic. Conflicts are quickly resolved and when it comes to issues such as discrimination and immigration, Dinelaris skims the surface. Case in point: a flashback showing Emilio being forced to leave his mother and grandfather behind when he emigrates from Cuba feels tacked on.
Still “On Your Feet!” — with its feel-good vibe and toe-tapping tunes performed by Drury Lane’s exuberant ensemble — is an entertaining show.
It begins with Albo’s Gloria rehearsing a new show then flashes back several decades to Miami where the young Gloria (Charlotte Arias who alternates with Talia Josephson in the role) records songs to send to her soldier father, Jose (Ivan James), who’s fighting in Vietnam.
Fast forward a few years. Now 17, Gloria Fajardo (the warm, engaging Albo) has earned a reputation for her singing and songwriting. Encouraged by her endlessly supportive grandmother Consuelo (Ana Maria Alvarez), she auditions for bandleader Emilio Estefan, played by Samuel Garnica.
Despite misgivings from her overprotective mother (an imposing Claudia Quesada), Gloria and Emilio begin a professional partnership that turns romantic.
Embraced by the Latin community, Gloria and Emilio attempt to crossover into mainstream pop over the objections of record executive Phil (John Michael Coppola), who points out that few Latin artists make that transition. They prevail, thanks in part to Emilio’s grass-roots efforts, and become international sensations until a 1990 tour bus accident seriously injures Gloria, jeopardizing her life and her career.
The production numbers — the boffo “Get On Your Feet,” the zestful “Tradicion” and the cleverly staged “Cuba Libre” in which the dancers wear wooden sandals — are first-rate. Albo sounds lovely on “Anything for You,” which features harmonies by Diana Marilyn Alvarez, and nearly stops the show with a stirring, emotional “Coming Out of the Dark,” which marks Gloria’s return to the stage after the near-fatal accident.
One thing more, the roles of Gloria and Emilio seem tailor-made for Albo and Garnica, who played opposite each other in several previous productions, including the 2022 tour. Their palpable chemistry is another reason Drury Lane’s revival had audience members on their feet.
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Location: Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, (630) 530-0111, drurylanetheatre.com
Showtimes: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday; 1:30 and 7 p.m. Thursday; 7 p.m. Friday; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday, through March 22
Tickets: $75-$130; dinner-theater packages available
Running time: About 2 hours, 30 minutes, with intermission
Parking: Free in the adjacent lot
Rating: For most audiences