This is so exciting! We finally got to meet the two stars of Gloria and Emilo Estefan’s Broadway musical “On Your Feet!” on the "Today" show. Trust us when we say you'll want to remember the names Ana Villafañe and Josh Segarra who have been chosen to play the leads in the play based on the lives of seven-time Grammy winner Gloria Estefan and her husband, producer-musician-entrepreneur Emilio Estefan. Although Villafañe—a lifelong Gloria fan—wasn’t able to attend the open casting call last fall, she sent a video audition and was called within three days to audition for Jerry Mitchell and the Estefans, and cast in the show.
Segarra made his Broadway debut in “Lysistrata Jones” and has since been making a name for himself on the New York stage. Other credits include an off-Broadway show called “Dogfight” directed by Joe Mantello. His television work includes a current starring role as 'Billy Cepeda' in USA’s comedy series "Sirens,” a series regular on PBS's “The Electric Company,” Showtime’s “Homeland” and “Chicago P.D.” In addition, you can see him Judd Apatow’s upcoming feature film “Trainwreck.”
Speaking of ones to watch, Ms. Ana Villafañe is a Cuban-American singer, dancer and actress from Miami, (who even attended the same Miami high school as Estefan!) had an instant connection with casting director Jerry Mitchell and the Estefans, “She walked into the room, and I immediately thought to myself - 'this is it'. Not only was she beautifully reminiscent of a young Gloria, but she embodied her energy and spirit in such a captivating way. And then she fully rose to the occasion by giving a sensational audition.” Villafañe’s credits include the award-winning “Magic City Memoirs” (executive producer Andy Garcia), "Los Americans" created by Dennis Leoni, “Hiding,” the upcoming Hulu Original Series "South Beach: Fever" set in her native Miami, and the female lead in the highly anticipated superhero blockbuster “Max Steel” (Mattel), set for global release this summer.
Earlier this year we reported Emilio Estefan's excitement about the upcoming play, “It will show lots of things we’ve been through, that people don’t know; in past previews, the audience cried through the entire first part and ended up dancing; the new music was written by my daughter which makes me extremely happy. There’ll be things no one ever knew, like how much my mother-in-law disliked me,” he joked. The show will be directed by two-time Tony Award winner Mitchell, and choreographed by four-time Drama Desk nominee and Olivier Award-winner Sergio Trujillo along with a book by two-time Drama Desk nominee Alexander Dinelaris.
“On Your Feet!” will begin previews on Broadway on October 5, 2015, at the Marquis Theatre and the production will officially open on November 5, following a world-premiere engagement at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago, from June 2 to July 5. Get your tickets!
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