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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Faults in the sometimes wooden acting from principal cast members (some of whom, to be fair, come from the music world) are eclipsed by the sonic brilliance of it all. Co-choreographers Justin Peck and Patricia Delgado match that brightness. Their exuberant movement melts into the musical numbers. Some phrases of choreography repeat, as do Ali’s stage pictures, but the energy, like this production overall, is electric from start to finish.
It is a privilege and treat to hear these musicians play; the whole theater vibrates with their collective energy and mastery—sound design is by Jonathan Deans—and each are accorded individual moments to shine. Its too-vague narrative framing does not affect the brilliance of Buena Vista Social Club’s execution of music and dance. Thanks to its supreme ensemble of musicians and singers, we can all be grateful that, as de Marcos’ character says to the audience at the end, “a sound like this…tends to travel.”
| 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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