Off, Off, Off Broadway

A Little Slice of Theater Heaven in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

My biggest flaw as a life-long Iowan is that I never seem to check the weather before I pick out an outfit.

When my mom and I stepped out of the car in Cedar Rapids last week, I wore a long, pink floral dress with white combat boots. The few inches of skin left exposed above my ankle fell victim to the stunning chill, numb to the hem of my dress grazing my legs as we scurried towards the restaurant. My mom had commented earlier in the day that my army green parka seemed excessive; in that moment, I wasn’t sure if it was enough.

We finally reached the restaurant that was somehow both around the corner and twenty miles away, and sat down for a bite to eat. We chatted like mother and daughter do; wedding planning details, what my grandparents are up to, the books we’ve read so far this year. The ease of our conversation comes from 26 years of quality time spent, a mother with her youngest child always by her side. That night, one of our favorite past times brought us together: A Broadway musical.

My mom and I first saw “On Your Feet!” five years ago at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. The show chronicles the lives and relationship of Gloria and Emilio Estefan and their rise to the top of the charts with their rhythmic, lively Latin-American crossover hits. That performance was energizing; Gloria and Emilio were in the audience.

Fast forward, and the show was set to grace the stage at the historic Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids.

The Paramount Theatre, located in downtown Cedar Rapids, a block from the Cedar River, opened in 1928 as the Capitol Theatre. The building’s architects envisioned a palace in the heart of Cedar Rapids, a feat they accomplished with ornate, gold architecture and vast, vaulted ceilings. It has since gone through three restorations, including one after the historic flood of 2008.

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I’ve been enthralled by the Paramount Theatre since I was a child. We went on a third grade field trip to the theater for a symphony performance. I used to watch my best friend as she performed her dance routines during her yearly recital. Each time, I’d sit in the balcony and admire the deep red curtains above the stage, how they seemed to drape with careless ease, regal waves of thick cloth. The echoes of artistry reached me deep in my chest no matter what seat I occupied.

Having a home for these performances – traveling Broadway shows and magnificent symphonies and even local youth performances – gives middle America access to cultural artifacts outside of the hubs they originate. Access to art is the key to unlocking new worlds, to helping people reach across cultures and experiences to understand the person in the seat next to them a little better.

On Your Feet! offers a look into the Cuban-American experience; the artistry and deep historical reaches of Latin-American music; the barriers some have to break through just to get a seat at the table.

On Your Feet! is an infectious musical. It’s impossible not to start shaking your hips with the score. Gaby Albo’s performance as Gloria is full of emotion as she takes on Gloria’s strong-minded power and commanding stage presence. Samuel Garnica is a charming, witty Emilio, and the love between the two feels palpable.

When intermission came, and the dancers conga-lined through audience into the wings, and we turned around to stretch, we could see several empty rows stretching to the back. Space that could have been filled by someone eager to absorb Latin-American music, who could learn about the experience of immigrants, who might change their mind at the first beat of a song.

I hope you visit your local theater soon.