I was ‘on my feet’ at the Proscenium Theater
On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan is lively, heartfelt, and just the right amount of fabulous! It is a feel-good musical, yes, but one with enough emotional weight to make you appreciate the people and sacrifices behind every success.
I had the pleasure of attending the exclusive preview night of On Your Feet! at the Proscenium Theater in
Rockwell Center Makati. From the first number, the energy was impossible to resist! The audience was singing before the final bow, and dancing by the time the curtain came down. The show earned a well-deserved standing ovation, but even before that, people were already clapping and swaying from their seats.
Broadway musical
Presented by Rockwell and 9 Works Theatrical, On Your Feet! has all the pleasures of a crowd-pleasing Broadway musical. The songs are instantly recognizable for certain generations especially, the choreography is bursting with energy, the staging is also vibrant, and the production knows exactly when to turn up the spectacle.
Naturally, the music is what first pulls you in. Hearing Conga and Rhythm Is Gonna Get You performed live is pure nostalgia for longtime fans, while songs such as 1-2-3 offer a lively introduction for younger audiences. In fact, once Conga kicked in, the
Proscenium Theater turned into one joyful dance floor. The audience rose, the energy spilled beyond the stage, and for a few wonderful minutes, everyone became part of the show.
The production, however, did not feel like a simple parade of greatest hits. It gave the songs meaning and context by showing the relationships and struggles that shaped
Gloria Estefan long before she became a global icon.
Because beneath all the color and rhythm of this musical, you’ll find a surprisingly moving story about family, ambition, sacrifice, and the courage to keep going when life takes an unexpected turn.
Strong cast
During the preview night, Kayla Rivera took on the role of Gloria Estefan, bringing
vocal power and emotional honesty to the performance. She alternates with Molly Langley for this role. Opposite her, Cuban-American actor Jason Canela is equally engaging as Emilio Estefan, playing him with confidence and charm.
I loved watching them together—Kayla and Jason. Their chemistry feels natural, warm, and perfectly in sync.
The supporting cast adds even more depth, particularly in the scenes involving Gloria’s family. Ayen Laurel, Pinky Marquez, John Joven-Uy, and Jani Magadia bring humor and tenderness to the story, with Vien King and the ensemble rounding out the cast. Together, they reveal the love, pride, expectation, and sacrifice behind Gloria’s rise.
Under Robbie Guevara’s direction, the production moves smoothly between intimate family drama and full-scale concert energy.
Daniel Bartolome’s musical direction keeps the sound vibrant, while Nunoy van den Burgh’s choreography gives the show its irresistible pulse.
The big numbers are exhilarating, while the more intimate scenes give the story its emotional pull. There are dazzling moments, certainly, but the story never gets lost beneath the salsa. For all its polish and spectacle, On Your Feet! never loses sight of the very human story behind the music—the struggles, sacrifices, and relationships that made the success possible.
I left the theater smiling and humming, more than a little tempted to add Latin pop to my playlist. Make sure to catch the show!
On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan runs weekends only from July 10 to July 26, 2026, at the Proscenium Theater at Rockwell Center Makati. Tickets are available through TicketWorld and at the Power Plant Mall Cinema
