Since Gloria Fajardo was a young child (Althea Ruedas), she lived in the Little Havana district of Miami with her grandmother Consuelo (Pinky Marquez), her mother Gloria (Ayen Laurel) and her sister Rebecca (Anyah de Guzman). She was well-known in their neighborhood for being a good singer and her loving grandmother liked to show it off. However, her strict mother did not encourage her musical talent, believing it was just playing around.
When Gloria was in her late teens (Molly Langley), her grandmother introduced her to a young man named Emilio Estefan (Jason Canela), who was a member of a local band called Miami Latin Boys. He invited Gloria to sing with them at a club gig one night, and she wowed everyone with a song she wrote herself. Since then, Gloria and Emilio were inseparable partners in their musical pursuits, which soon also turned romantic.
Act 1 began with child Gloria recording a song for her father Jose (Vien King), who was then a soldier stationed in Vietnam, and singing for the neighboring washerwomen. There was also a flashback to Havana 1958 to reveal why her mother was against her dream to be a singer. We hear hits "Anything for You," "1-2-3," and "Here We Are" in this first act, which ended when their infectious song "Conga" finally launched their career into the big time.
Act 2 began with lively numbers that Gloria sung in her international concerts. However, it was the darker moments that drew me in more, specifically the fateful accident of their tour bus that left Gloria with a serious injury. The songs sung during this harrowing time and its aftermath included "Don't Want to Lose You Now," "Reach" and of course, "Coming Out of the Dark." When the ensemble turned into her backing choir, the effect was glorious.
For me, act 2 also contained one of the best original songs Gloria wrote for this musical, and this was not even sung by her. This was the song "If I Never Got to Tell You," which was sung while Gloria was bedridden in the hospital after her accident. This was a beautiful duet of reconciliation sung between her mother and her husband, who had been at serious odds with each other beforehand. This was the best vocal performance of Laurel and Canela.
From where I was seated in the front row of the balcony, the resemblance of Molly Langley's face to the real Gloria Estefan was truly remarkable, especially with that wig of big curls. She was also able to approximate Estefan's rich and versatile singing voice. (Kayla Rivera alternates as Gloria Estefan.) Jason Canela is an American actor of Cuban descent, with a heavy Latin accent which may make some of his lines or lyrics not so easy to understand, but you always felt the sincerity in his love for Gloria.
Pinky Marquez surely stole her scenes with her singing, dancing, and her wacky grandma antics. Ayen Laurel had the thankless role of a mother who did not support her daughter's dreams, but she delivered so well, such that her change of heart later would have deep emotional connection. At first we only knew Athea Ruedas as an actress in films like "Doll House" (2022), but here she proved that she was a triple threat in her tender age. (Reese Ito alternates as young Gloria.)
Vien King only had a few lines as Gloria's soldier dad Jose, but his tenor can really soar. John-Joven Uy surprised me with his multiple roles, singing and dancing as member of the ensemble ranging from serious to comic, from Gloria's older dad afflicted with multiple sclerosis to a mustachioed combanchero in a sombrero singing for tips. I've seen Elian Santos once before as one of Sisa's sons in "Liwanag sa Dilim." Here he got to show off more of his dance skills, on top of his acting skills. (Manolo Villalva alternates as young Emilio.)
The way the story of the Estefans was told was rather uneven, with the pacing inconsistent. There were scenes can feel too long or too slow, like those about the recording business negotiations. Some "funny" bits did not land, but some smaller jokes unexpectedly did, like that bit about the nurse who was a big fan. Some songs were unfamiliar, yet some big hits of MSM had not been included and are missed, like "Words Get in the Way" or "Bad Boy."
Momentum between songs was certainly not a problem anymore in Act 2. The urge to stand up and dance was very much stronger when the mega-mix medley finale came on -- which included major bangers like "Rhythm is Gonna Get You," "Turn the Beat Around," "Everlasting Love," and "Get on Your Feet." Those of my age whose pop music appreciation peaked in the late 1980s and early 1990s will definitely enjoy the songs and get their money's worth.
The cast at the curtain call
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'ON YOUR FEET" runs from July 10 to August 2, 2026, at 8:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, at the Proscenium Theater, Rockwell Center in Makati City. Tickets cost P6,695 (Orchestra Center), P5,974 (Orchestra Center Back & Side), P5,459 (Orchestra Side Corner), and P3,605 (Dress Circle) and are available via TicketWorld and at the Power Plant Mall Cinema.
"On Your Feet!" features a book by Academy Award winner Alexander Dinelaris, and music produced and recorded by Emilio & Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine. This current 9 Works production is directed by Robbie Guevara, with musical direction by Daniel Bartolome and choreography by Nunoy van den Burgh. The rest of the technical crew include: Mio Infante as scenographer; Gabo Tolentino as lighting designer; Aron Roca as sound designer/engineer; Justin Santiago as video and projection designer.
The ensemble includes: Meliza Reyes Uy, Neo Rivera, Antonio Valdez, Altair Alonzo, Roxy Aldiosa, Rica Laguardia, Matthew Barbers, Carmelle Ros, Winchester Lopez, Cheska Quimno, Richardson Yadao, Macel Dofitas-Yadao, Gerhard Krysstopher, Lord Kristoffer Logmao, Jacqui Jacinto, Gianna Hervas, and Roni Paderes.
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