“Buena Vista Social Club” on Broadway
- Team Written
- Mar 22
- 4 min read
“Buena Vista Social Club” on Broadway resonates with the history of a once-thriving Havana venue and the legendary album that ignited global passion for traditional Cuban music. The show, which opened on March 19, 2025, at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater, draws inspiration from the 1997 Grammy-winning album of the same name while blending historical authenticity with elements of creative fiction. Directed by Saheem Ali and written by Marco Ramirez, the musical unfolds across two pivotal eras: 1956, on the cusp of revolutionary change in Cuba, and 1996, when an extraordinary recording session brought aging Cuban musicians back into the limelight.
In its opening moments, audiences enter a space alive with communal energy. The iconic number “El Carretero” sets the tone, performed onstage in a way that allows everyone—actors, musicians, and viewers—to feel the electric pulse of Afro-Cuban rhythms. This communal spirit underpins the entire production, inviting people from diverse backgrounds to experience the enduring power of music that transcends time and upheaval.
A key figure, producer Juan de Marcos (portrayed by Justin Cunningham), serves as a narrative fulcrum in the 1996 scenes, assembling veteran performers who had once been household names in Havana’s famed pre-revolutionary clubs. Characters such as Omara (played by Natalie Venetia Belcon) and Compay (played by Julio Monge) recall the heyday of the 1950s, when music acted as both an art form and a lifeline. Their stories explore the tension between personal ambition and national transformation, while carefully evoking the wistfulness of missed opportunities and the warmth of homegrown community.
Although the real-life contributions of Nick Gold and Ry Cooder are conspicuously absent from the stage adaptation, the musical redirects focus to the Cuban perspective, highlighting the artists who gave these songs their memorable sound. Critics who cherish the original album’s documented history may find these omissions puzzling, yet new audiences might be captivated purely by the show’s exuberance and cultural flavor. The trade-off underscores a broader tension in historical adaptations: how to honor both factual integrity and theatrical storytelling without sacrificing either one.
Despite occasional “clunky” dialogue and heavy-handed exposition in its 1956 flashbacks, the production is consistently lauded for the vibrancy of its music and choreography. Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck infuse the dance sequences with kinetic energy, weaving steps that capture both the joy and sorrow of the Cuban experience. Arnulfo Maldonado’s two-tiered set complements these movements, creating a visual tapestry that conjures Havana’s architecture and evokes its once-glittering nightlife. Colorful costumes by Dede Ayite further immerse audiences in an environment shaped by passion and shared heritage.
The show is a celebration of communal resilience, emphasizing the universal allure of music to heal personal wounds and bridge social divides. This emotional core echoes the spirit of the original 1997 album, which propelled musicians like Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara Portuondo, and Compay Segundo back onto international stages. Their real-life stories remind us how music can redefine cultural identity, even under the weight of political turbulence and economic isolation. The onstage performances replicate that communal spark, giving each audience member a glimpse into a world shaped by captivating rhythms and unbreakable bonds.
Yet it remains a production that, in seeking broad emotional appeal, sometimes glosses over the complexities of Cuba’s political landscape. It offers a romantic glimpse of pre-revolutionary Havana while only briefly acknowledging the post-revolutionary struggles that pushed these artists to the sidelines for decades. This narrative choice reflects a desire to craft a more streamlined story, foregoing a richer portrayal of the revolution’s aftermath and the musicians’ hardships during the Special Period. Such a deeper focus could have amplified the emotional weight of the show’s triumphant “rediscovery” arc in 1996, giving modern audiences a more robust understanding of what truly transpired.
None of these considerations diminish the musical’s potential for profound cultural impact. Its arrival on Broadway brings Cuban history and soundscapes to an influential stage, expanding opportunities for Latin actors, dancers, and musicians to showcase their talents. The communal nature of the performance speaks to the enduring appeal of collective creativity and the possibility of cultural exchange. Audiences who fall under the spell of these songs may seek out the original Buena Vista Social Club album or delve more deeply into the histories of the people who gave them life. In this way, the production can foster meaningful public understanding, driving curiosity about Cuba’s artistry and the role of music in social change.
While it presents a warmly rendered story with moments of soaring musicality, “Buena Vista Social Club” on Broadway inevitably serves two masters: the quest for high drama and the weight of documentary history. It succeeds most vividly in illustrating the power of music to bind communities across decades and political divides. For many theatergoers, that achievement is more than enough to make the experience unforgettable. For those who seek tighter historical fidelity, the omissions and fictional liberties may prompt further research into a saga whose real details are every bit as moving as the imagined backstory. The core message—that music preserves cultural identity and rekindles hope—shines through in every note, reminding us that genuine art carries the capacity to enlighten, to elevate, and at times, to rewrite the narrative of our shared past.
“Buena Vista Social Club” stands as both a record of the resilient spirit of Cuban musicians and a celebration of the universal language they spoke through their songs. It does not strive for perfect historical documentation so much as it aims to evoke the intangible essence of a cultural legacy. With its heady mix of nostalgia, renewal, and the sheer thrill of live music, the production invites audiences to dance between fact and fiction, emerging with renewed faith in art’s ability to transform not only individuals, but entire societies.
