When a big-name pop star gets involved in the musical about their life, results tend to be mixed. Too much proximity can lead to a lack of clarity and sharpness, as Tina proves to some degree and this piece about Gloria and Emilio Estefan confirms with bells on.
The tiresome hagiography from writer Alexander Dinelaris begins as it means to go on. “You’re a born artist, my angel, and one day you’re going to be a big star,” says Gloria’s father to the young girl and, lo, it came to pass.
This is a script of epic dullness, by which one is usually bored and occasionally bewildered, as births, marriages and deaths all happen without any explanation. One character even disappears entirely from the action; maybe she was simply overcome with ennui.
Gloria (Christie Prades, appealing) and Emilio (George Ioannides, not so much), both from Cuban families in Miami, enjoy the longest and most chaste courtship ever, before setting off on the road to superstardom with the Miami Sound Machine and teaching staid record company executives a thing or two about “crossover” music. The music is as good – or not – as you remember it and hits such as Dr Beat and Conga are peppily offered. Nonetheless, Jerry Mitchell’s production is lumpily directed.
Given that a good chunk of stalls tickets cost more than £120, I’d recommend you vote with your feet.
Until Aug 31
