BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 2015 PBS Arts Fall Festival brings international music superstar Gloria Estefan back to television alongside top Hispanic artists including legendary Broadway star Chita Rivera and world-renowned percussionist Sheila E. The seven-time Grammy Award-winner hosts the Festival each Friday for eight weeks starting October 9. The multi-talented Estefan, who conquered music and acting (opposite Meryl Streep in the film “Music of the Heat” and on TV’s “Glee”) continues her arts journey as composer, lyricist and orchestrator alongside husband Emilio Estefan for the new Broadway musical ON YOUR FEET!, premiering in October.
Celebrating its fifth season, the PBS Arts Fall Festival returns October 9, 2015 at 9:00 p.m. ET (check local listings), and launches with the high-energy UNITY – THE LATIN TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON, featuring Michael Jackson’s greatest hits interpreted by award-winning Latin artists in a concert hosted by celebrated percussionist Sheila E. UNITY is the passion project of Peruvian-born, Miami-raised producer and multi-instrumentalist Tony Succar, who also produced and arranged the chart-topping album of the same name. Signature Jackson songs like “Smooth Criminal,” “I Want You Back,” “Billie Jean” and others showcase musicians from throughout Latin America to reimagine the iconic catalog. Performers include Jon Secada, Tito Nieves, Michael Stuart, Obie Bermúdez, Jennifer Peña, Kevin Ceballo, Judith Hill, Jean Rodriguez, and more.
Fresh off a recent Tony-nominated Broadway run, GREAT PERFORMANCES brings “Chita Rivera: A Lot of Livin’ to Do” to PBS November 6 at 9:00 p.m. ET (check local listings). The legendary Broadway performer has ignited the stage for more than 70 years with starring roles in numerous iconic Broadway shows including West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie, and Chicago, and the 2015 revival of the John Kander/Fred Ebb/Terrence McNally musical, The Visit. In addition to archival clips from Rivera’s many stage and TV appearances, this career retrospective features interviews with her and her famous co-stars to tell the story of peerless showbiz virtuosity.
Click here for more information on the full 2015 PBS Arts Fall Festival, and here to learn more about how PBS is honoring Hispanic Heritage Month.
