Theater Notebook: Gloria Estefan surprises Moonlight cast of ‘On Your Feet!’

On Sept. 15 — the opening night of Moonlight Stage’s production of “On Your Feet!” — the cast got a big surprise backstage before the show.

Grammy-winning Latin pop star Gloria Estefan made a video call to the cast that was broadcast on a large television in the amphitheater’s backstage green room. Estefan and her husband, Emilio, are the subject of the jukebox musical, which tells the story of their lives, starting with their families’ immigration from Cuba to their climb to the top of the global pop charts.

The call was arranged by Eduardo Ernikez, who plays Emilio in the Moonlight show. He got to meet the Estefans when he performed in the West End production of the musical in 2019. During the phone call, Gloria Estefan talked about the show and wished the cast a good opening. “On Your Feet” plays Wednesdays-Sundays through Oct. 2. Visit moonlightstage.com.

Playwright Mansa Ra, whose play “Shutter Sisters” will have its world premiere next month at The Old Globe.

(The Old Globe)

Cast announced for Globe’s ‘Shutter Sisters’

San Diego actor Shana Wride has been cast in the two-character drama “Shutter Sisters,” which will make its world premiere next month at The Old Globe. (Wride also works as the program coordinator for the Old Globe/University of San Diego MFA theater program.)

Wride, who was previously featured in the Globe’s “Native Gardens,” will play the character Michael, and Broadway actor Terry Burrell will play Mykal in the new play, directed by Donya K. Washington. The Globe commissioned the play from playwright Mansa Ra.

“Shutter Sisters” is the story of two women living parallel lives on the hardest days of their lives. A White woman named Michael attends her adopted mother’s funeral, while a Black woman named Mykal kicks her adult daughter out of her home. It’s described as a journey through womanhood, identity and what it means to belong.

“Ra’s play is a charmer: warm, funny, and deeply heartfelt,” said Barry Edelstein, the Globe’s artistic director, in a statement. “It’s about two very different women who discover just how very much they have in common, to their surprise, and ours.”

“Shutter Sisters will play in the Globe’s Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre from Oct. 7 through Nov. 7. Visit theoldglobe.org.

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New Village Arts seeking plays

New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad is putting out the call to San Diego County playwrights for submissions for its 2021 Final Draft New Play Festival, which will run Jan. 5-9, 2022.

Last year’s Final Draft festival was canceled because of the pandemic. Writers who submitted a play last year are encouraged to submit an updated draft of their previous submission. New plays will also be welcomed. This year, New Village is hoping to receive submissions representing the stories of people in under-represented communities.

The entry period is open until Oct. 18. For festival guidelines and submission information, visit newvillagearts.org/final-draft-new-play-festival.

Pacific Lyric relaunches with ‘Die Fledermaus’

Pacific Lyric Association, a local opera performance and education nonprofit, returns next month with a production of Richard Strauss’ operetta “Die Fledermaus” on Oct. 15 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

The Viennese comedy will be sung in English, with spoken English dialogue, and will feature a full orchestra. It’s the story about a group of friends playing pranks on each other at a New Year’s Eve ball. Performances are at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 and 22 and at 3 p.m. Oct. 17 and 24. Tickets are available at www.pacificlyricassociation.org.

L.J. Playhouse hosts Innovation Night

On Monday, La Jolla Playhouse hosts its 14th annual Innovation Night with a tribute to the event’s honorary chair David F. Hale, who is chairman and CEO of Hale BioPharma Ventures.

Innovation Night is an annual networking event that brings together leaders from San Diego’s biotechnolgy, life sciences, high tech, defense, telecommunications and other industries. The event raises money for the Playhouse’s new play development and education programs. The event will feature an innovation gallery with displays by more than 15 local companies as well as live performances by the band String Theory. For details, visit lajollaplayhouse.org.

Kragen writes about theater for the San Diego Union-Tribune. Email her at pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com.