There are musicals that entertain, and then there are those that honour memory, heritage, and the heartbeat of a people. Buena Vista Social Club, now a five-time Tony Award–winning triumph on Broadway, belongs emphatically to the latter. Directed with reverence and rhythm by Saheem Ali, this exuberant and elegiac musical is more than just a stage adaptation; it is a resurrection.
From Havana to Broadway
Imagine stepping into the heat of a Havana night, where the aroma of Cuban cigars lingers in the air and every street corner pulses with excitement. That’s the atmosphere Buena Vista Social Club conjures with astonishing authenticity. From the first hypnotic strum of “Chan Chan” to the emotional crescendo of “Candela,” the show wraps you in a warm, percussive embrace, transporting you from the bustling streets of 1950s Havana to the transformative 1990s. It’s a journey told through the lives of four gifted musicians whose world was reshaped by revolution—yet whose love for music endured.
A Musical Rooted in Legacy
Rooted in true events and inspired by the Grammy Award–winning 1997 album, produced by American guitarist and cultural ambassador Ry Cooder, and Wim Wenders’ documentary, Buena Vista Social Club brings to the stage not only a rediscovery of son Cubano, bolero, danzón, and guajira, but also the dignity and defiance of the musicians who lived it. Though the story is performed in English, the soul-stirring score—sung entirely in Spanish—transcends language. You don’t need to speak Spanish to feel its emotional clarity; the music speaks directly to the heart..
A Star Reborn: Natalie Venetia Belcon as Omara Portuondo
At the soul of the production is Natalie Venetia Belcon’s incandescent turn as Omara Portuondo, for which she deservedly won the 2025 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Belcon doesn’t impersonate Omara—she channels her. Her performance is both grounded and transcendent, echoing not only the voice but the spirit of Cuba’s legendary singer.
And in a moment of history-meets-theatre, the real Omara Portuondo—now 94 years old—was in attendance on opening night. Her presence brought the house to its feet before a note was even sung, a living testament to the legacy celebrated on stage.
A Conversation in Rhythm and Reflection
Following a special performance by the Buena Vista Social Club cast at IPW 2025 in Chicago—an international travel industry conference co-hosted by New York City Tourism + Conventions and Broadway Inbound—I had the privilege of sitting down with three of the show’s musical powerhouses: guitarist David Oquendo, tres player Renesito Avich, and pianist and Music Director Marco Paguia. Their performance at IPW, set against a backdrop of global tourism professionals, wasn’t just a showcase of Broadway talent—it was a cultural offering. The cast brought the infectious energy and soul of Havana to an international stage, turning a travel convention into a celebration of rhythm and remembrance.
David Oquendo, Marco Paguia and Renestio Avich
Oquendo spoke candidly about the emotional weight of performing this music, sharing that it often moves him so profoundly he feels swept away by it. “Sometimes I’m so deep in it, I lose myself,” he said. “Then I hear the audience, I feel their energy—and that lifts me even more.” Growing up in Cuba, Oquendo was steeped in the rhythms that now shape the show—Omara Portuondo, he shared, lived just around the block from him. Her music, and that of her peers, formed the soundtrack of his youth. Today, he channels that lived experience into every note he plays. He described how it’s often Marco or Renesito who gently anchor him back to the moment. For Oquendo, each performance is a spiritual experience—equal parts memory, tribute, and surrender.
Paguia, whose role is as expansive as it is intricate, serves as the connective tissue between cast, orchestra, and culture. As Music Director, he is tasked with shaping a score performed entirely in Spanish for an English-speaking audience—a challenge he meets with both rigour and deep respect. “Even without translation, you feel it,” he explained. His orchestrations preserve the pulse of Cuban tradition while guiding the musical transitions with clarity and nuance, making each performance feel at once historic and immediate. And for Renesito Avich, who hails from Santiago de Cuba like his character Eliades, every note carries legacy: “To bring his voice, his fingerprint—that’s how we pass it on. It is such an honour for me to be able to share this legacy.”
Dance, Music, and Memory
Tony-winning choreographers Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck bring Havana’s streets to kinetic life. Their movement is not merely decorative but storytelling in motion. The dancers glide, stomp, flirt, and lament with purpose, reflecting the complexities of a people who used rhythm as resistance. Orchestrator Marco Paguia and sound designer Jonathan Deans complete the sonic landscape, creating a soundscape that reverberates with authenticity. Paguia’s orchestrations keep the heart of Afro-Cuban music intact, while Deans’ audio architecture ensures every clave and conga beat is felt in the bones.
One of the show’s most affecting choices is the live 10-piece band, honoured with a special Tony Award. Placed onstage rather than hidden in a pit, these musicians are not accompaniment; they are witnesses, narrators, and keepers of truth.
A Revolution of Resonance
As Cuban revolutions go, the story of Buena Vista Social Club is a peaceable one—but its global impact was seismic. The original 1997 album has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling Cuban album in history. The original 1997 album wasn’t expected to be a hit. It quietly gained momentum, not through marketing muscle but through something more powerful: word-of-mouth. People didn’t just listen to the music—they shared it, gifted it, and let it become part of their lives. This Broadway production captures that same magnetic pull.
A Personal Connection to a Global Movement
On a personal note, I had the honour of working the Buena Vista Social Club albums during my time at Warner Music Canada. In August 1999, I was presented with a Certified Canadian Gold Award to commemorate the sale of over 50,000 units of Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer. That recognition remains one of the most meaningful in my career—not simply for its commercial achievement, but because it reflected the ripple effect of passion, heritage, and culture that this music inspired. Remarkably, the original album went on to become the best-selling Latin album in Canada, earning a 3× Platinum certification with over 300,000 units sold.
In 2003, I had the joy of witnessing the Buena Vista Social Club live at Massey Hall during their farewell tour. Their music was uplifting; their performance, utterly infectious. These were true artists, fully immersed in their craft, and the hall was filled with joy and reverence. It remains one of the most memorable concerts I have ever experienced. To now see their legacy honoured on a Broadway stage fills me with profound gratitude.
Nostalgia with Purpose
What sets Buena Vista Social Club apart is its refusal to treat nostalgia as static. This is not a museum piece. It is a living archive that breathes with the urgency of now. As the world grapples with cultural erasure and displacement, this musical reminds us what it means to preserve with passion and pass down with pride.
When You Go
Buena Vista Social Club is playing at the Atlantic Theatre Company at the Linda Gross Theater.
- Runtime: 2 hours and 10 minutes, including intermission.
- Language: Story in English; music in Spanish.
- Recommended Age: Recommended for 8 and up. Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
- On Sale Through: January 4, 2026.
- Accessibility: The venue offers wheelchair access and assistive listening devices.
- View it here
For ticketing and more details, visit: https://www.broadwayinbound.com/shows/buena-vista-social-club
The Takeaway
Buena Vista Social Club is a transportive experience, and one that reminds us why we go to the theatre in the first place—to remember, to feel, and to celebrate. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the original album or entirely new to Cuban music, this show opens your ears, lifts your heart, and lets the rhythm linger long after curtain call.
This isn’t just a musical. It’s a standing ovation for the past.
Every journey leaves a mark, and small choices can make a big difference. Choosing eco-friendly stays, supporting local communities, and being mindful of plastic use help preserve the beauty of the places we visit. Respecting wildlife, conserving resources, and travelling sustainably ensure future generations can experience the same wonders. By treading lightly and embracing responsible travel, we create meaningful connections and lasting memories. Here’s to adventures that inspire and footprints that honour our planet. Safe and mindful travels!
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