Gloria Estefan's ON YOUR FEET! - Casting Announced
by Best of Theatre Staff on Thursday 4 April 2019, 4:23 pm in Cast Changes and Announcements
Jamie Wilson and Gavin Kalin are delighted to announce casting for the UK premiere of ON YOUR FEET! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, which will play a limited season at the London Coliseum from Friday 14 June – Saturday 31 August 2019. Prior to the London run there will be seven performances at Curve, Leicester from 3 – 8 June 2019.
Christie Prades will play ‘Gloria Estefan’, George Ioannides ‘Emilio Estefan’ and at certain performances the role of ‘Gloria Estefan’ will be played by Philippa Stefani. Madalena Alberto will play ‘Gloria Fajardo’, Karen Mann ‘Consuelo’.
Christie Prades played the role of ‘Gloria Estefan’ in “On Your Feet!” on Broadway and can currently be seen in the same role on the US tour of the show. Christie’s other credits include ‘Vanessa’ in “In the Heights”and “West Side Story”.
George Ioannides has appeared in the West End productions of “Annie” and “Mamma Mia!” and was most recently seen as ‘Eduardo Cortez’ in “An Officer and a Gentleman” at Curve, Leicester and on national tour.
Philippa Stefani played ‘Mimi’ in the recent national tour of “Rent”. She has also played ‘Daniela’ in “In The Heights” at King’s Cross Theatre. Her other theatre credits include the original London casts of “Wicked” at the Apollo Victoria and “I Can’t Sing” and “Sister Act”, both at the London Palladium. She has also appeared in “High Society at the Old Vic and ”Ghost” at the Piccadilly Theatre.
Madalena Alberto’s West End credits include the title role in “Evita” at the Dominion Theatre and ‘Grizabella’ in “Cats” at the London Palladium. She has also appeared as ‘Fantine’ in the 25th Anniversary tour of “Les Miserables” and was most recently seen as ‘Giulietta’ in “Aspects of Love” at the Southwark Playhouse.
Karen Mann’s many credits include ‘Golde’ in the national tour of “Fiddler on the Roof” opposite Paul Michael Glaser, ‘Marley’ in “Scrooge” at Curve and ‘Mother Superior’ in “Sister Act” also at Curve and on national tour. Her extensive work at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury includes ‘Gladys’ in “Copacabana”, ‘Viv’ in “Spend Spend Spend” and ‘Mrs Lovett in “Sweeney Todd”, which transferred to both the New Ambassadors Theatre and Trafalgar Studios.
Completing the cast will be Hollie Cassar, Francisco Del Solar, Katie Dunsden, Eduardo Enrikez, Laura Friedrich Tejero, Denzel Giskus, Francesca Lara Gordon, Yonly Leyva Desdunes, Elia Lo Tauro, Martin McCarthy, Alicia Mencía, Ciro Lourencio Meulens, Carl Patrick, Clayton Rosa, Julia Ruiz Fernandez, Shanna Michelle Slaap, Dawnita Smith, Frank van Hengel, Despina Violari and Alain Zambrana Borges.
Klaudia Gjergji, Holly McDonagh, Emily Perra will share the role of ‘Little Gloria’ and Santiago Huertas Ruiz, Jonathan Naranjo, Alejandro Puentes Motato will share the role of Nayib/Young Emilio/Jeremy.
ON YOUR FEET! is the inspiring true love story of Emilio and Gloria and charts their journey from its origins in Cuba, onto the streets of Miami and finally to international superstardom and features some of the most iconic pops songs of the era, including ‘Rhythm is Gonna Get You’, ‘Conga’, ‘Get On Your Feet’, ‘Don’t Want To Lose You’ and‘1-2-3’.
Gloria Estefan has sold over 100 million records worldwide and is the most successful Latin crossover performer in the history of pop music. In addition to her 38 number 1 hits across the Billboard charts, Gloria recorded the Oscar-nominated song ‘Music of My Heart’ and has received numerous honours and awards over the course of her illustrious career. Emilio Estefan is a founding member of the pioneering Miami Sound Machine, who created a brand new Latin crossover sound – fusing infectious Cuban rhythms with American pop and disco. Combined, they have won a staggering 26 Grammy awards.
The Tony Award® nominated show ran on Broadway for two years, playing for over 750 performances. It is currently on a two year US tour, whilst the production in Holland played to sell out business and standing ovations for a season in 2017/18.
ON YOUR FEET! is directed by two-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde), with choreography by Olivier Award-winner Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys) and book by Academy Award® winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman).
ON YOUR FEET! is produced by Jamie Wilson and Gavin Kalin with Colin Ingram and Peter Kane for InTheatre, Marc David Levine and Curve.