5 reasons to see Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway

The verdict5 reasons to see Buena Vista Social Club On Broadway

The musical was inspired by the 1997 iconic Cuban album, and was opened on March 19 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater.

Music was in the air in the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater on March 19 as Buena Vista Social Club celebrated his opening night. The musical was inspired by the Grammy-winning album of the same name and the Golden Age-Cuban music he captured, and is a celebration of Cuba’s rich and incredible music history.

The stage program contains a book by Marco Ramirez and the music of the album, in which he tells the story of the legends that made it. Saeem ali is directing, with Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck serve as co-choreographers. All three are reprimanding their work for the Broadway Bow of the musical after a 2023 World Première Off-Broadway by Atlantic Theater Companyin a pulsating production that surely dances you in your seats.

Here are five reasons why you should make Buena Vista Social Club Your next night on Broadway.

1. A score of Cuban music classic played by world-class musicians

The music of Buena Vista Social Club is the inspiration behind the musical. This is also the main reason why you want to see the musical. It is not to discount his other features, which is also good (more below). But it is an emphasis on how fantastic the music is. Of course, we are used to musicals in Jukebox that bring beloved songs to Broadway phases. It’s something else. You will hear a lot of the iconic 1997 album, but you also hear it from truly world-class musicians. The production kept things authentic and compiled a fully Afro-Cuban band led by music director Marco Pagua at the piano, and also guitarist included David Oquendois the player Gustavoo Shingz, Reed Player Paz powertrombone -player Eddie Venegastrumpet player Jesus Ricardoand percussionists Javier díazMaruicio Herrera, and Romanian Diaz. For better or worse, it is not regular that the music of a musical is announced as listed in the program, but this group was part of the program marketing campaign from the beginning. If you hear how they play this score, you will understand why. And you would be extra happy to see that they had an extensive feature -moment at the top of the second act of the show (Spotlighting unbelievable Three player Exit avich), and again after the bows are over. This show has a wonderful cast but it fits honestly Good viewThe band has the final say (and gets the final applause) in this show.

By the way, the music is in no way disinfected or adapted to American, English -speaking audiences. You get the music of Buena Vista Social Club As authentic as possible, and fully in its original Spanish. This is not always the case when things come to an ever-commercial Broadway. This is music you want to hear as it was intended to be staged, and Buena Vista Social Club Do it and then some.

2. Dances that move authentic Cuban with Broadway theater

This musical does something unique theater with his choreography. Director Saeema Ali made two choreographers: Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck. Delgado is the child of Cuban immigrants, and an alumnus of Miami City Ballet. Peck is a two-time Tony award-winning balletchoreographer with Broadway Carousel And last season’s Illinoise On his resume and Delgado, much of her career spent as a Répétitor of Peck’s work. The two used their backgrounds to mix authentic, Cuban dance with more theater -based storytelling dance, making something that entertain and elevate the emotional story. The music of Buena Vista Social Club could – and were – a more simple concert. The attention and artistry placed in the choreography is a great deal of what this particular performance makes a Broadway musical, and which allows the audience to see the pure emotion of the music that goes beyond words.

3.. The moving story behind the iconic album

Of course, emotional choreography and passionate play would not mean much if there is no moving story. Buena Vista Social Club also deliver to the front. The music of Good view come from a turbulent period in Cuban history, which dates back decades before the album is even recorded. While the musical is somewhat creating the creation of the album, it spends more of his time on the launch path of his artists, and the events that made the ultimate album so special. The details of these events are somewhat fixed here, but book writer Marco Ramirez has expertly made a broader story. Through the turmoil of Cuba’s Revolution of 1959 – and more specifically the conflict among those who chose to stay and those who chose to flee – in a smaller story about a handful of people, Ramirez can show how the unrest forms the music of the form of form Buena Vista Social Club. And why it was such a big case that the album was made and received the praise that it did.

4. Natalie Venice Belcon is back

Theater fans are likely to remember Natalie Venetia Belcon as the original Gary Coleman in the Tony-winning musical Avenue q. Outside of a short time in Matilda the musical In 2013, Belcon was largely away from Broadway and went into a handful of off-broadway shows such as The glorious, 10 things to do before I dieand The last smoker in America. Now, now she is back on the main steam, starring as legendary Cuban singer Omara Portuondo, Buena Vista Social Club‘s lead singer. If you loved her in Avenue qYou already know that Belcon brings some exciting choir to the table. If you may not know is that Belcon is an excellent dramatic actor, something that is really in the Good view. Omara’s story is painful to be torn between family and homeland, safety and privilege for authenticity. Belcon gives it all and spends a lot of the show on the icy outside of someone who has learned to put on protective walls, but always with the undercurrent of vulnerability. And again, the choir. Add Belcon to the list of world -class musicians who have to offer this musical (and the most amazing she is capable of Sing in perfect Spanish Even though she’s not a native speaker!).

5.. Some exciting Broadway debut

The casting of Buena Vista Social Club Has many Broadway newcomers and it’s always a excitement – especially when they are as talented as this bunch. It is probably best to see with Mel Semé as Ibrahim, Jainardo Batista Sterling as Rubén, Isa Antonaci like young omara, and Wesley Wray Like young Ibrahim. All four start with their Broadway careers in many memorable roles. Semé, Antonetti and Wray especially have a few moments to show their beautiful choir. But also to make excellent Broadway debut is Da’von Moody as Young Compay, Leonardo Reyna Like young Rubén, and ensemblist Anthony Santos. These are names that you will probably see in many more Broadway role distribution in the coming years.

Click here to get your tickets Buena Vista Social Club On Broadway.

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Photos: Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway