Kayla Rivera, Molly Langley take on Gloria Estefan role in the musical ‘On Your Feet!’

Kayla Rivera, Molly Langley share spotlight as Gloria Estefan in stage hit.

In July, singer-stage actresses Kayla Rivera and Molly Langley will assume the role of singer Gloria Estefan in the high-energy jukebox musical “On Your Feet!”

The production details the lives and music of 26-time Grammy Award-winning artists and husband-and-wife tandem—Gloria and Emilio Estefan.

Kayla and Molly will be paired with Jason Canela, the first Cuban-American actor to portray Emilio in the musical.

Exposed to the music of Gloria Estefan

Kayla and Molly are both returning featured artists in 9 Works Theatrical, having worked with the company for its previous productions.

“It’s extra special to be marking this milestone in my career with ‘On Your Feet.’ I actually first auditioned for the role of Gloria Estefan back in 2019 for a staging that was set for 2020, but fate would have it that I’d be cast now, years later, as Gloria.

“I can also clearly recall when I was 13 and was a part of a performance group in Calgary, Canada, my first solo ever assigned to me was ‘Get On Your Feet.’ So this feels like such a full-circle moment for me,” Kayla told radar Entertainment.

Molly, meanwhile, is a self-confessed island girl since she grew up in Boracay. She’s pretty sure that her ‘upbringing’ has helped her connect with Gloria in many ways.

“I’m actually a fan of Gloria Estefan. I’ve always loved Latin music and was introduced to even more of it while working in Miami for Royal Caribbean. Of course, I knew many of Gloria’s songs before, but preparing for this role has allowed me to dive much deeper into her music and her story.

“I’m so excited to play her. I’ve done a lot of research for the role, from watching countless interviews to learning more about her journey and career. Through all of that, I’ve come to see just how strong, driven, funny, and incredibly talented she is. It’s an absolute honor to step into her shoes and bring her story to life,” said Molly.

Fell in love with Estefan’s music

Estefan is a five-time Grammy Award winner and a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. She has been named one of the Top 100 greatest artists of all time by both VH1 and Billboard. Estefan’s record sales exceed 120 million worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

“Music was always around me growing up. I remember hearing Estefan’s songs playing at home and in the beach restaurants around the island, so her music has always felt familiar to me. Beyond that, I really relate to the pride she has for Cuba and her roots. She carries her culture with her wherever she goes, and I feel the same way about Boracay,” shared Molly.

“Every song in the show is amazing, but if I had to pick my top three, I’d say ‘Here We Are,’ ‘Oye Mi Canto,’ and of course ‘Get On Your Feet.’ No matter where I work or perform, Boracay will always be home. That sense of pride, warmth, and connection to where you come from is something I think Gloria and I definitely share.”

Kayla shares the same affinity to the female Estefan. “I love all of the songs but my favorite is ‘Get On Your Feet,’ aside from it being the title of our show.

“Then, there’s a moment in Nunoy Van Den Burgh’s choreography that all of us on stage are clustered together in a tight pack, having so much fun dancing and enjoying the music, and that’s what Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine would do for their audiences and fans–bring them together to let the infectious Latin rhythms move them to party and have fun,” Kayla added.

“On Your Feet!” the musical has a book written by Alexander Dinelaris Jr. and a score built around the Cuban-fusion pop music made famous by Gloria.

Robbie Guevara directs. Apart from the song “Get on Your Feet!,” songs featured include “Conga,” “1-2-3,” and “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You.” It also features the original song “If I Never Got to Tell You,” with lyrics by Gloria and music by her daughter Emily.

It opens on July 10 at The Proscenium Theater in Rockwell.

READ: