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Buena Vista Social Club
Buena Vista Social Club

Buena Vista Social Club to Open on Broadway in Spring 2025

A new musical has entered the 2024-2025 Broadway season! Buena Vista Social Club, inspired by the Grammy-winning album of the same name, will open at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre next spring.

With a book by Marco Ramirez (Drama Desk Award, The Royale), director Saheem Ali (Tony Nominee, Fat Ham) leads an ensemble of visionary performing artists, including a band of renowned musicians from across the globe to tell the legendary story of the artists who recorded the original album. Buena Vista Social Club features the soul-stirring music of Cuba’s golden age, choreography by Patricia Delgado and Tony Award winner Justin Peck (Illinoise, Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story) and a music team led by Tony Award winner David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit) and Music Supervisor Dean Sharenow.

“In 1968, my grandfather left Cuba and got a job washing dishes a block from the Schoenfeld Theatre,” said Marco Ramirez, book writer. “Almost 60 years later, we’ll be blasting his favorite songs there. Alongside some of the best artists – and people – I’ve ever met. I’m humbled by the chance to forge connections between two of the most musically iconic islands the world has ever known: Cuba and Manhattan.”

Inspired by true events, the new Broadway musical Buena Vista Social Club brings the Grammy Award-winning album to thrilling life—and tells the story of the legends who lived it. A world-class Afro-Cuban band is joined by a sensational cast in this unforgettable tale of survival, second chances, and the extraordinary power of music.

The new Broadway musical will begin performances on Friday, February 21, 2025, and open Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Tickets are now on sale.

Looking for new shows opening this fall? Check out our Broadway Fall Preview.

The Broadway company features Natalie Venetia Belcon (Omara), Julio Monge (Compay), Mel Semé (Ibrahim) Jainardo Batista Sterling (Rubén), Isa Antonetti (Young Omara), Da’von Moody (Young Compay), Wesley Wray (Young Ibrahim), Leonardo Reyna (Young Rubén), Renesito Avich (Eliades), Ashley De La Rosa (Young Haydee), and Angélica Beliard, Carlos Falú, Héctor Juan Maisonet, Ilda Mason, Marielys Molina, Sophia Ramos. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

The Buena Vista Social Club band features Marco Paguia (Piano, Music Director), David Oquendo (Guitar), Gustavo Schartz (Bass), Hery Paz (Woodwinds), Eddie Venegas (Trombone), Jesus Ricardo (Trumpet), Javier Díaz (Percussion), Mauricio Herrera (Percussion), and Román Diaz (Percussion).

The band of Buena Vista Social Club features orchestrations, arrangements and music direction by Marco Paguia, additional arrangements by Javier Diaz and David Oquendo, music consultation by Juan de Marcos.

Buena Vista Social Club features scenery by Arnulfo Maldonado, costumes by Dede Ayite, lighting by Tyler Micoleau, sound by Jonathan Deans, wigs, hair & make-up by J. Jared Janas, and casting by Tara Rubin Casting; Xavier Rubiano, CSA; Frankie Ramirez. Arabella Powell serves as the Production Stage Manager.

The musical made 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.