Emilio, Gloria Estefan develop new Broadway musical

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Emilio and Gloria Estefan announced they are developing a brand-new Broadway musical based on their life story, Tuesday.

The show, a collaboration between Estefan Enterprises and Nederlander Organization, will be produced by Bernie Yuman, who was responsible for Siegfried & Roy's long-running magic show in Las Vegas.

"We've been working on this [project] for 17 years," said Emilio. "I think this is perfect timing. It's so nice to be able to share our life with people. I think it's going to be an inspiration, and send a message of hope," he continued.

The new musical, which Emilio described as a cross between "Jersey Boys" and "Mamma Mia," will follow Gloria and Emilio as they leave Cuba, meet in Miami, form the Sound Machine and become international superstars.

The entire show will use the iconic hits the Estefans created to tell the story of their rise to fame. "We're definitely going to be incorporating our music, from 'Mi Tierra' when we left Cuba, coming to America and then all the way to 'Conga,'" Emilio said. "It's the real story."

Referencing one of his own hit songs, the Grammy-winning producer said the rhythm is gonna get you, but so will the story. "It's important right now, because we are going through rough times, and people are looking for positive things and the American dream, and our lives have been just that," Emilio said.

From Gloria's triumphant return to Cuba when she serenaded a crowd of thousands in Guantanamo Bay, to her courageous comeback from a crippling bus accident and her Super Bowl extravaganza, Gloria and Emilio's life reads like a Hollywood screenplay.

Gloria made her own announcement to her Twitter followers earlier on Tuesday. The Tweet read, "@gloriaestefan: G'day, tweeties! I thought I'd give u a scoop, but I just saw that I've been scooped myself. lol! Our music & story heading to Broadway! Yay!"

Emilio acknowledged the increased Latin American visibility on the Great White Way that his show would bring to theatergoers. "I think today is an incredible day for me, Gloria and my family, and overall for people, minorities especially," he said. "I think we'll be one of the first Broadway shows that will carry the message of a Latino family."

Opening night is still at least one year away. Emilio is currently working on the book for the show, and he also revealed he will be composing several new songs that will be incorporated into the musical. The show's title will be announced at a later date.

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