Major League Baseball veteran and recording artist José Iglesias, known to music fans as Candelita, will make history as the first Latino MLB player to debut on Broadway, beginning Thursday, August 27, 2026.
Iglesias joins the acclaimed Broadway production of Buena Vista Social Club to play the Narrator at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Get your tickets here on Broadway Direct.
Born in Cuba, Iglesias continues the production’s celebration of Cuban heritage, culture, and music, joining the Tony & Grammy Award-winning Afro-Cuban band on stage that electrifies audiences nightly at Broadway’s Schoenfeld Theatre on West 45th Street.
“It is an incredible privilege to be part of such a historic band. Anyone who truly knows Cuba understands the journey we have endured, so for me, this is a dream come true. To represent Buena Vista Social Club—and to do it on Broadway—is something deeply meaningful and truly special. This musical is unique, powerful, and unlike anything else,” says Iglesias. “On a personal level, it is a tremendous blessing to be part of this production. It is also overwhelming in the best possible way because I will be the first Latino MLB player ever to perform on Broadway. To make that debut in New York City, one of my favorite cities in the world, makes this opportunity even more extraordinary. I cannot wait to experience the energy of that theater and create unforgettable memories with the cast, the musicians, baseball fans and the theater audience. I feel incredibly grateful, honored, and excited for what is ahead. New York, here we come. Buena Vista Social Club, here we come.”
What is Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway about?
It’s been years since legendary singer Omara Portuondo last entered a recording studio. Once known as the “Queen of Feeling,” her voice was celebrated throughout Cuba—until she vanished from the spotlight. But when an ambitious young record producer brings her a rare opportunity, the elusive diva must finally reckon with her past.
Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway celebrates the golden age of Cuban music with an immersive musical journey that spans from the 1950s through the 1990s. This Tony Award-winning production features authentic Afro-Cuban rhythms including son, bolero, and danzón, performed entirely in Spanish by a world-class ensemble. The show highlights the life and legacy of iconic Cuban musicians such as Omara Portuondo, Compay Segundo, and Ibrahim Ferrer, capturing their remarkable reunion and the creation of a Grammy-winning album that brought Cuban sounds to the global stage.
Who is in the cast of Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway?
The current cast of Buena Vista Social Club includes Natalie Venetia Belcon as Omara, Rick Negron as Compay, Mel Semé as Ibrahim, Jainardo Batista Sterling as Rubén, Isa Antonetti as Young Omara, Da’Von T. Moody as Young Compay, Jaleel Battles Jr. as Young Ibrahaim, Jesús Pupo as Young Rubén, Renesito Avich as Eliades, Ashley de la Rosa as Young Haydee, and Chris Myers as Juan de Marcos.
Major League Baseball veteran and recording artist José Iglesias, known to music fans as Candelita, will make history as the first Latino MLB player to debut on Broadway, beginning Thursday, August 27, 2026 as The Narrator.
Who is on the creative team of Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway?
Buena Vista Social Club features music by Buena Vista Social Club, a book by Marco Ramirez, and is directed and developed by Saheem Ali.
The full creative team includes Patricia Delgado (co-choreographer), Justin Peck (co-choreographer), Dean Sharenow (music supervision), Marco Paguia (music director, orchestrations, and arrangements), Arnulfo Maldonado (scenic design), Dede Ayite (costume design), Tyler Micoleau (lighting design), Jonathan Deans (sound design), J. Jared Janas (wigs, hair, and makeup design), David Yazbek (creative consultant), Nick Gold (creative consultant), Juan de Marcos )music consultant), Javier Díaz (additional arrangements), David Oquendo (additional arrangements), The TRC Company (casting), Arabella Powell (production stage manager), Moses Garcia (associate director), Carlos E. Gonzalez (associate choreographer), Thomas Schall (fight director), Rosie Berrido (dialect and accent coach), Crista Jackson (intimacy coordinator), and Jayla Pollock (company manager).
Where can I buy tickets to Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway?
Broadway Direct is an official ticketing source for Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway. Tickets can be found here.
