Buena Vista Social Club Touring Reviews

Director Saheem Ali ensures that the story is told with a laser focus. There is a risk in musical story telling where the lyrics are in Spanish, as well as not always integral to the story. But somehow it always works, whether the song is used as a ...

Director Saheem Ali ensures that the story is told with a laser focus. There is a risk in musical story telling where the lyrics are in Spanish, as well as not always integral to the story. But somehow it always works, whether the song is used as a performance nightclub number or as an inner monologue, emotional exposition. The politics of the era help provide a desperation of sorts for all of the musicians, while elucidating the prejudices among their own country. While some of the book scenes could do with a little more finesse, time will surely help settle them. The exuberant cast is hugely talented and bring this charming piece of musical history to life.

Speaking of Señor Ramirez, in case you were wondering, his book is a solid blend of truth and storytelling. The music and the legendary Cuban musicians, Omara Portuondo, Ibrahim Ferrer, Compay Segundo, are real, drawn from the 1996 recording session...

Speaking of Señor Ramirez, in case you were wondering, his book is a solid blend of truth and storytelling. The music and the legendary Cuban musicians, Omara Portuondo, Ibrahim Ferrer, Compay Segundo, are real, drawn from the 1996 recording sessions that became the global phenomenon. But apart from the Cuban Revolution, the show’s 1950s Havana storyline is largely fiction, created to dramatize their world and give the music a narrative frame. It’s a tribute, not a documentary, honoring the artists while imagining the lives behind the songs. I’m not sure if that’s a spoiler or not. Hopefully not.

An immediate and enthusiastic standing ovation began as the curtain calls commenced. But as the applause continued, it was the band that took the final bow. And rightly so. The talent was unbelievable—many of them virtuosos—and it reinforced the ...

An immediate and enthusiastic standing ovation began as the curtain calls commenced. But as the applause continued, it was the band that took the final bow. And rightly so. The talent was unbelievable—many of them virtuosos—and it reinforced the point of the entire show: that the music itself is the leading character in this work. And preserving its significance—and, perhaps more importantly, its legacy—is paramount.

For general audiences who may not be familiar with the real Buena Vista Social Club, I imagine some may be reluctant to even see this show for that reason. While understandable, it’s still important to approach these things with an open mind. The m...

For general audiences who may not be familiar with the real Buena Vista Social Club, I imagine some may be reluctant to even see this show for that reason. While understandable, it’s still important to approach these things with an open mind. The more rigid you are, the more you’ll be missing out on appreciating great works like this. Sure, there may be a few shows here and there one may have no interest in, but that’s perfectly natural. As someone who was largely unfamiliar with the real Buena Vista Social Club going in, I had a great time throughout. With terrific choreography by the husband and wife team of Patricia Delgado & Justin Peck and energetic orchestrations by Marco Paguia, you’ll certainly feel the rhythm from start to finish!