Lissette Feliciano, the filmmaker behind the acclaimed indie drama ‘Women Is Losers,’ has been attached to write and direct ‘On Your Feet,’ a feature adaptation of the hit Broadway musical of the same name. The jukebox musical tells the inspiring true story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, two Cuban immigrants who rose from humble beginnings to international musical stardom. The film will be produced by Gloria and Emilio Estefan, alongside John and Jordan Davis of Davis Entertainment, with John Fox serving as executive producer.
Premiering in November 2015 at the Marquis Theatre on Broadway, where it ran for more than 750 performances, the show specifically hones in on Gloria’s Estefan’s trajectory from her early days in Miami to her breakthrough as the lead singer of the Miami Sound Machine — a crossover artist, blending Latin and pop music — and ultimately, her triumphant return to the stage after a near-fatal accident.
The musical delves into the challenges she faced as a young artist, including her struggles to balance her cultural identity, family expectations, and artistic ambitions, and at the same time explores her romantic relationship with Emilio. With a book by Alexander Dinelaris, the show features such hit songs from the Estefans as “Conga,” “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You,” and “Get On Your Feet.” Directed by Jerry Mitchell, it went on to earn a Tony Award nomination for Choreography, as well as seven Outer Critics Circle Award nominations and three Drama League Award nominations, before going on to tour the U.S. and internationally.
Feliciano is best known for ‘Women Is Losers,’ the 2021 indie drama that marked her feature directorial debut. Set in ’60s San Francisco, the film watches as a once-promising catholic school girl, Celina Guerrera (Lorenza Izzo), sets out to rise above the oppression of poverty and invest in a future for herself that sets new precedents for the time. Also starring Bryan Craig, Chrissie Fit and Simu Liu, the film premiered to critical acclaim at SXSW and was acquired by Max following its successful nationwide festival run.
