"On Your Feet," a new musical based on the life of singer-songwriter Gloria Estefan and her musician-producer husband, Emilio Estefan, is set to make its Broadway debut next year, producers of the show announced Monday, Aug. 17.
Produced by James L. Nederlander and Estefan Enterprises, Inc. in partnership by Bernie Yuman, the show will open on Broadway on Nov. 5, 2015, with preview performances starting Oct. 5, 2015, at the Marquis Theatre in New York City, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
But before its Broadway opening, the musical will first play a five-week world-premiere tryout engagement at Chicago's Oriental Theatre from June 2 to July 5, 2015.
The stage play will be directed by two-time Tony winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Hairspray) and will be choreographed by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis) with a book by Alexander Dinelaris (The Bodyguard Musical).
It will chronicle the multi Grammy-winning couple's journey from Cuba to Miami as they reach superstardom. The musical will of course feature Gloria's greatest hits, including "Conga," "1-2-3," "Music of My Heart" and "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" as well as new original music.
The production launched an international casting search today called "Reach Gloria" (#ReachGloria), which offers performers around the world an opportunity to audition for all roles in the musical's Broadway cast by simply submitting audition videos online at www.OnYourFeetMusical.com, Broadway World reported.
The production will also host two open casting calls next month: the first one is at Pearl Studios in New York City on Sept. 9 and the other is in Estefans' home city of Miami, Florida, in Knight Concert Hall of Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on Sept. 21, 20.
"Finding the right performers to tell our story on the Broadway stage is the most important step in this project," said Gloria Estefan in a statement. "Our own journey together started in Miami, a city that has been such an inspiration to us both, and it only felt right that the city be a cornerstone of our search for the next generation of bright talent."
Emilio continued, "'On Your Feet' is a piece that speaks to people of every culture around the world. We've seen audiences from South America to Asia, and everywhere in between, be moved by our music and we want each and every one of them to have a chance to be a part of this story and show their talent to the world."
Gloria, who left Cuba with her family when she was a child, met Emilio in Miami and became the lead singer in his band, which was renamed Miami Sound Machine, according to Reuters. They have been married since 1978.
