An irresistible rhythm is coming to Broadway! In Buena Vista Social Club, step into the heart of Cuba, beyond the glitz of the Tropicana, to a place where blazing trumpets and sizzling guitars set the dance floor on fire. Here, the real sound of Havana is born—and one woman discovers the music that will change her life forever.
The musical is inspired by the true events that led to the Grammy Award-winning album. Buena Vista Social Club's self-titled album was released in 1997. It was created by an ensemble of Cuban musicians and directed by Juan De Marcos González and Ry Cooder. The album was both a critical and commercial success, and led to a performance at Carnegie Hall in 1998.
The album's creation was captured in a 1999 documentary of the same name. The album has been preserved in the United States National Recording Registry and has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the best-selling world music album.
The musical features the same soul-stirring music of Cuba’s golden age, with a book by Marco Ramirez and direction by Tony nominee Saheem Ali. It is choreographed by Patricia Delgado and Tony Award winner Justin Peck and will feature a music team led by Tony Award winner David Yazbek and Music Supervisor Dean Sharenow.
The musical had its world premiere at the Atlantic Theater Company, New York City in December 2023 and was nominated for Best Musical by the Drama League and Outer Critics Circle organizations.
The Broadway company features Natalie Venetia Belcon, Julio Monge, Mel Semé, Jainardo Batista Sterling, Isa Antonetti, Da’von T. Moody, Wesley Wray, Leonardo Reyna, Renesito Avich, Ashley De La Rosa, and Angélica Beliard, Carlos Falú, Héctor Juan Maisonet, Ilda Mason, Marielys Molina, Sophia Ramos.
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In the end, the fuel that powers both show and movie is of two types. There’s the sheer joy of folks of all ages coming together to celebrate a shared musical culture; the sense of community engendered is palpable and hits you where you live, even if you don’t understand a single word of Spanish lyrics. And through the swirling choreography of Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck, the ensemble of six youngsters repeatedly echo in movement the sainted emotions of the score.
But this deeply rooted music is a powerful magnet not only for her but for the audience, too, even if some wouldn’t know a bolero from a guajira. Though all lyrics are untranslated, the essence is easily understood and deeply felt. You don’t have to be Cuban to feel the nostalgia, romance, loss, liberation, joys, and pride in such well-lived music.
| 2023 | Off-Broadway |
Atlantic Theater Company World Premiere Production Off-Broadway |
| 2025 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Drama League Awards | DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE | Natalie Venetia Belcon |
| 2025 | Drama League Awards | OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL | Saheem Ali |
| 2025 | Tony Awards | Best Book of a Musical | Marco Ramirez |
| 2025 | Tony Awards | Best Choreography | Patricia Delgado |
| 2025 | Tony Awards | Best Choreography | Justin Peck |
| 2025 | Tony Awards | Best Costume Design of a Musical | Dede Ayite |
| 2025 | Tony Awards | Best Direction of a Musical | Saheem Ali |
| 2025 | Tony Awards | Best Lighting Design of a Musical | Tyler Micoleau |
| 2025 | Tony Awards | Best Orchestrations | Marco Paguia |
| 2025 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical | Natalie Venetia Belcon |
| 2025 | Tony Awards | Best Scenic Design of a Musical | Arnulfo Maldonado |
| 2025 | Tony Awards | Best Sound Design of a Musical | Jonathan Deans |
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