Photos provided by Broadway In Chicago

When Emilio & Gloria Estefan’s “On Your Feet!” earned a pre-Broadway debut in Chicago three years ago with the superstar couple in the house, it was a pretty fabulous journey from their formative years together in Miami Sound Machine through getting married, selling more than 100 million albums, a harrowing near-death experience and a downright miraculous recovery. However, hearing about that infamous 1990 tour bus crash from a news reporter within minutes of the curtain raising gave the grandest drama away much too early and it seemed redundant when it was repeated again in chronological order an hour or so later.

“On Your Feet!” is just as much a story about rhythms on a mission as it is romance and resilience, all adorned by sparkling costumes, A-list choreography and a flavorful band that includes a few members of the actual Miami Sound Machine!

Now that it’s been to the Big Apple, the touring version offers a more natural and welcoming sequence of events, starting with a slice of “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You,” followed by flashbacks to humble beginnings for the Cuban-American pair (played by the vibrant Christie Prades and the charismatic Mauricio Martínez), their meeting at the hands of her dream-chasing abuela (the loveable Debra Cardona) and early conquering of the Latin music market. As “On Your Feet!” progresses, so does Miami Sound Machine’s popularity, eventually reaching a full-fledged crossover frenzy thanks to “Conga,” which is accompanied by several dancers darting down the side aisles to signal the intermission.

By the second act, Gloria gets billing in front of the group and scores a multi-million-dollar recording contract that’s higher than even Madonna at the time. But it’s more than worth the investment thanks to “1-2-3,” “Don’t Wanna Lose You,” “Here We Are,” “Live For Loving You” and “Coming Out Of The Dark” that propel the group on several world tours right on up to the White House, despite causing increasing estrangement from her mother (also named Gloria and firmly portrayed by Nancy Ticotin) who can’t stand the thought of their gypsy lifestyle or leaving family behind.

The strain gets so burdensome that the elder Gloria stops speaking to her daughter, though that all changes the fateful night of the wreck (now supported by some effective live action) when she isn’t only fighting to avoid paralysis, but life itself. What transpires from there is a moving testament to the strength of the human spirit, and though it gets awfully tense if she’ll ever sing again, let alone walk, the family mends its fences.

In the end, “On Your Feet!” is just as much a story about rhythms on a mission as it is romance and resilience, all adorned by sparkling costumes, A-list choreography and a flavorful band that includes a few members of the actual Miami Sound Machine! Plus, make sure to stick around after the story for a mini-concert filled with several selections that didn’t make the earlier cut and don’t expect to sit again until the ride home.

“On Your Feet!” continues at the Cadillac Palace Theatre through Apr. 8. For additional details, visit OnYourFeetMusical.com and BroadwayInChicago.com.

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