Thespians on stepping into other people’s shoes
‘In theater, you pour your hearts out and then you instantaneously know if people are loving it. I think that is just so gratifying.’
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‘In theater, you pour your hearts out and then you instantaneously know if people are loving it. I think that is just so gratifying.’
Jason Canela plays Emilio Estefan in the Southeast Asian premiere of On Your Feet!
Playing legendary musicians onstage comes with its own set of expectations.
For thespians Jason Canela and Molly Langley, starring as Emilio and Gloria Estefan in the Southeast Asian premiere of On Your Feet! meant more than learning songs, choreography and dialogue. It meant capturing the resilience, love and determination that shaped two of Latin music’s most influential figures and bringing that story to audiences thousands of miles from where it began.
Fresh point of view
For Canela, a first-generation Cuban-American, portraying Emilio carried personal significance. Beyond honoring someone whose story reflected his own heritage, he embraced the opportunity to immerse himself in Philippine culture and work with Filipino artists.
“Overall, I feel like the number one thing is just the opportunity to do what I love... knowing that I was going to travel basically to the other side of the world and be immersed into a completely different culture... was something that I was truly looking forward to,” he said.
The experience exceeded his expectations. He found himself welcomed by a cast that quickly felt like family, while discovering that Filipino and Cuban cultures shared the same deep appreciation for family, perseverance and community.
Returning to Emilio years after first portraying him also brought a new level of emotional depth. Having since become a father, Canela found himself relating to Emilio not only as a visionary music producer but also as a husband and parent.
“Nothing compares to life experience,” he said. “Getting the opportunity to dive into the story again as a father... made me approach every single page from a completely different view.”
Getting Gloria
For Langley, meanwhile, playing Gloria Estefan was the realization of a lifelong dream.
“I was really hoping to get Gloria... I was super excited. But then I got a bit scared... I really have to do a good job at this,” she admitted. “I just wanted to give justice and show who Gloria is and how much resilience and strength that she has.”
Rather than simply imitating the music icon, Langley focused on portraying Gloria’s heart. her devotion to family, unwavering determination, and resilience through life’s challenges. In doing so, she discovered something about herself.
Playing Gloria reminded her to trust her own instincts as an artist, much like the singer remained true to herself despite pressure to conform. She also found a personal connection in Gloria’s close relationship with her grandmother, recalling how her own Lola first introduced her to musical theater and encouraged her to pursue performing.
The production is as physically demanding as it is emotionally rewarding. For Langley, playing Gloria means almost nonstop singing, dancing, acting and rapid costume changes throughout the show. Yet she describes every performance as fulfilling because it allows her to do what she loves.
Behind the curtain
For both actors, however, the greatest reward comes from performing live. Unlike television or film, theater offers no retakes. Every performance is shaped by the energy exchanged between actors and audience.
Canela believes that fleeting connection is what makes theater special.
“In theater, you pour your hearts out and then you instantaneously know if people are loving it. I think that is just so gratifying.”
He added that being able to make a living through acting is something he never takes for granted.
“Every single day that I wake up and get to say that acting is my career is a blessing. It’s something I prayed for my whole life.”
Behind the curtain, that same sense of gratitude extends to the company itself. Both actors spoke warmly of a cast that celebrates one another’s successes and creates an environment built on generosity rather than competition.
Looking ahead, both remain eager to keep growing as performers. Canela hopes to continue taking on roles that challenge him across stage and screen while inspiring audiences through meaningful storytelling. Langley, meanwhile, dreams of expanding her theater career, tackling more iconic roles, and one day performing internationally while continuing to grow as an artist.
As On Your Feet! celebrates the legacy of Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Canela and Langley hope audiences leave with more than memorable songs and electrifying choreography.
They hope viewers remember the resilience that carried the Estefans through rejection, hardship and uncertainty, and recognize that behind every standing ovation is a story of perseverance, love and staying true to oneself.
