By Koko McDowell
This is my sentiments as I had the opportunity to see The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan, On Your Feet! at the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista, CA. Although I have lived in North County for seven years, played pickle ball at Brengle Terrace Park, and had our son playing in the Vista community Basketball league at Brengle Terrace Park, I was unaware of where the Moonlight Amphitheatre was until today. As we arrived, it was a pleasant surprise to see several people tailgating in the parking lot near the ticket booth. I chuckled with my husband about tailgating at a musical, but then realized, they were the ones relaxing while everyone else was scrambling for parking. With music, food, and games, they were truly enjoying themselves. Upon entering, I was amazed at such an elegant jewel located right under our nose. From the lite archways to the ambiance within, I was stunned at the fact that I was so unaware of this treasure.
As newbies, sitting center stage was perfect for us, although, I highly doubt there was a bad seat in the house. My husband and I decided to eat our dinner prior to the show because we didn’t want to get caught singing with our mouths full. As we enjoyed our dinner, we were energized by the buzz of excitement around us. Listening to conversations of how Gloria’s music touched other’s lives was amazing and it was nice to know that we were not the only ones eager to not only learn Emilio & Gloria’s story, but also take a trip down memory lane with several of their hit songs.
Although I was amazed at the beauty of the Moonlight Amphitheatre, my expectations of the casts singing and acting abilities was average, at best. I figured, since it was at a community venue it was a community production and at best it would be a good performance. Fortunately, I had underestimated the cast and their abilities. From beginning to end, the singing was powerful, crisp, and clear; even the supporting cast members had amazing voices and demonstrated that every one of them were vocally gifted. At the beginning of the musical, the acting seemed more rehearsed than natural, but as the show moved on, the cast was able to own their roles and live out the moments from scene to scene.
I loved how professional the set was and how they were able to transition from scene to scene seamlessly. The wardrobe was interesting to me, I loved the flashy clothing during the concerts and performance scenes. But I also loved how they depicted the day-to-day struggle of an artist, when everything was toned down to neutral colors and sneakers. As with any great show, leaving the crowd with a profound message is important. The message of this show was not only about having the courage to follow your dreams, but the importance of family and forgiveness, which was interwoven through Emilio and Gloria’s story.
The music throughout the musical was contagious, it made people, young and seasoned, jump out of their seat to dance. I especially enjoyed how the cast encouraged audience participation to get up and dance. I believe Gloria would be proud of Ariella Kvashny and Itzel Meza-Ruiz’s performance, they represented her well. I can only imagine how challenging it is to play the role of a great artist, such as Gloria. My husband and I were truly blessed by this production of one of our favorite artists from our childhood.
