Buena Vista Social Club at Atlantic Theater Company- Page 2

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 12/21/23 at 3:16pm

I always look forward to that one musical in December to lift my spirits, and generally rely upon either New York Theater Workshop or the Atlantic to scratch that itch (The Bands Visit, Kimberly, Once are my favourite examples).  Buena Vista Social Club was that  wondrous December musical I was looking for.  To be clear, it has many failings, but reliving the joyous music I listened to as a teenager live was intoxicating: until this, I haven't left a show smiling ear-to-ear in quite some time.

I think this has life on Broadway (or perhaps off), but I agree that it needs a deep rewrite.  An easy change: more music and less book.  This production used but a fraction of Buena Vista Social Club music that is available, and left so much from the 1997 untouched.  The book could easily be compressed by reducing (removing?) the story and limiting it to a series of vignettes.  Buena Vista Social Club (band, album, history) is so much more than about its members.  The music is the most important part.  It shines well in its current state, but it could shine brighter.  

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 12/21/23 at 6:41pm

I will say that Natalie Belcon was great throughout, so much so that I thought that some of the other actors probably made the dialogue sound worse than it actually was. 

[Dan6]

Posted: 1/5/24 at 12:15pm

Final extension just announced through 1/28.  Previous extensions sold out quickly, so if you want to catch this, move fast. I saw it last night and had a great time; I agree with previous posters that the book is pretty cringeworthy, and not sure if the show will have life after this run, but the music and dancing are just so exhilarating that I still give it a big thumbs up overall.  The whole audience was enthusiastic and seemed to love it, and my group left with big smiles on our faces. 

[AntV]

Posted: 1/5/24 at 3:54pm

What happened to the todaytix rush? The show's listing doesn't even exist on there anymore. Will they have rush tickets at the box office instead? Even if the show is sold out?

[CukorLover]

Posted: 1/5/24 at 4:51pm

Wow! The prices for the extension range from $150 (front row) to mainly $175 and $200 seats! At those prices I'll wait for a possible Broadway transfer!

Updated On: 1/5/24 at 04:51 PM

[Skip23]

Posted: 1/7/24 at 4:42pm

Pleasant, well meaning show. But the plot is thin and bland. Music is fine - but, again, show is not worth the prices they’re charging. 

[All So Ozmopolitan]

Posted: 1/7/24 at 6:15pm

CukorLover said: "Wow! The prices for the extension range from $150 (front row) to mainly $175 and $200 seats! At those prices I'll wait for a possible Broadway transfer!"

Despite Atlantic's desire to get all their new musicals to Broadway, I would not anticipate a transfer for this one. And while I don't strongly recommend it, I think now may be your only chance if you really want to see this.

[SisterGeorge]

Posted: 1/7/24 at 6:17pm

I was disappointed  by what weak singers and actors a few of the soloists were. The dancing and band were on fire, however, and that was enough for me to really enjoy the show.

[Skip23]

Posted: 1/7/24 at 6:30pm

You're right.  A couple singers were noticeably weak.    But the musicians were stellar.  And Leonardo Reyna as Young Ruben was an amazing pianist.  

 

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 1/7/24 at 7:41pm

Put me in the camp of folks that didn't find this their cup of tea.  The music was fantastic as was the set design and lighting but the book was just too weak for me.  The universality of the music spoke to me, although ironically I don't speak that much Spanish.  The tight energetic band sustained the 2+ hours of the show. 

I am so glad the show has found success and an extension but ultimately was disappointed.  

[Pashacar]

Posted: 1/8/24 at 11:33am

AntV said: "What happened to the todaytix rush? The show's listing doesn't even exist on there anymore. Will they have rush tickets at the box office instead? Even if the show is sold out?"

When Atlantic has a hit that extends, the pull the TodayTix rush.

In my mind it's one of the single tackiest things an established NYC theater does.

[inception]

Posted: 4/25/24 at 4:21am

Reported earlier today here on BWW & over at Plsybill of a notice for Equity auditions for a potential Fall Broadway remount.  It looks like they are re-casting everyone?

With Justin Peck's Illinoise getting so much attention, perhaps that buzz could help this as well.

I missed this at X-mas as I think I remember they didn't do a matinee on x-mas eve, so I saw Gardens of Anuncia instead ( it was sweet little show).  The last spot I had available that trip, when it did have an available performance,  went to Hell's Kitchen instead.

It is a big problem when there are so many shows to choose from and you have little time.  Some things get prioritized & so much else gets missed.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/25/24 at 6:18am

The casting notice specifically says offers are out for six roles (presumably to the actors from the Atlantic production).

This feels like a toughhhh sell on Broadway despite the reviews out of the Atlantic. There's not much story to hang the songs on. It's a big gamble by Orin Wolf, who is producing both Illinoise and this.

Updated On: 4/25/24 at 06:18 AM

[inception]

Posted: 4/25/24 at 9:55am

Ok I misunderstood what "offers out" means, as I don't work in the theatre industry. 

[Miss10036]

Posted: 4/25/24 at 11:15am

It’ll be interesting to see if this can catch on.  It succeeds as a concert but falters as a book musical.  I can see this building word of mouth on the strength of the concert aspect, since it’s got a lot of crowd-pleasing and beautiful songs and the band and dancers sell it.  They’ll need to work on the book or at least get it to a point where it’s a neutral.

Hopefully they get a smaller house for this. Part of the magic with the Atlantic production was being up close with the musicians and really feeling the burst of sound.  Preserving that will be key.