Andréa Burns is magnetic on the Marquis Theatre stage as Gloria Estefan’s mother, Gloria Fajardo. A Broadway vet, Burns made her debut in 1994 in “Beauty and the Beast” and has since appeared in “The Ritz,” “The Nance,” and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first production, “In the Heights.” Now she takes us backstage and behind the scenes of “On Your Feet!,” the musical chronicling the rise of the Cuban-born singer-songwriter and businesswoman.
My dressing room is my backstage oasis. On my couch are throw pillows I inherited from the late, great Elaine Stritch.
Our swings are not only reliable assets onstage, but a joyful, sociable gang of good times offstage. The duty of waiting backstage each night as living, breathing insurance policies can be frustrating for some, but our fabulous team makes the most of it. Any visitor would be utterly charmed by the delightful likes of Martín Solá, Karmine Alers, Natalie Caruncho, and Hector Maisonet (not pictured—he was on!).
After her solo in “Turn the Beat Around” in the Megamix, I’m always there to receive Genny Lis Padilla (who plays Rebecca, Gloria’s little sister) as she hits the wings. I love this because she still is performing for me once the audience is behind her.
After my big number in Act 1, I have a significant break and go upstairs to visit with the kids. They call me “Tia Poppins,” and sometimes a girl needs to be pampered. Happily obliging me are the junior set of our swing team, the fabulous and wildly entertaining Fabi Aguirre and Kevin Tellez.
After my final scene, Carlos Gonzalez escorts me up to my dressing room; it’s a quiet moment we have each night where we check in with each other about how our respective shows went.
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