# Buena Vista Social Club (musical)

Buena Vista Social Club is a 2023 stage musical, with a book by Marco Ramirez and featuring the music recorded by the ensemble musician group Buena Vista Social Club.
The musical is set in Havana, Cuba and spans time from the 1950s to the 1990s, following the lives of four prominent musicians, the effect communism and the rise of Fidel Castro had on musicians at the time, and their eventual collaboration in 1997 on the landmark album Buena Vista Social Club. The music in the show is presented entirely in the Spanish language, with the musical styles of Son, Danzón, and Bolero represented in the musical score.

## Production history
### Off-Broadway (2023)

The show was developed by Saheem Ali, who also served as director. David Yazbek is a creative consultant on the show, as well as the real life Juan de Marcos González who is portrayed in the musical, Nick Gold, and Ry Cooder. Saheem Ali also serves as director, with choreography by husband and wife team Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck. The associate director is Moses Garcia, with Carlos Gonzalez as associate choreographer. Orchestrations and musical direction were by Marco Paguia, alongside music supervisor Dean Sharenow. Scene design is by Arnulfo Maldonado with costume design by Dede Ayite.
The show premiered at the Atlantic Theater Company on November 17, 2023, and played until January 28, 2024, extending twice from the original end date due to high ticket sales and critical acclaim. The show was nominated for three Outer Critics Circle Awards including Best Choreography, Best Orchestrations, and Best New Off-Broadway Musical. The show was nominated for seven Lucille Lortel Awards including Outstanding Musical. At the Drama League Awards, the show was nominated for Best Direction of a Musical and Outstanding Production of a Musical.

### Broadway (2025)

The musical opened for previews on Broadway at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on February 21, 2025 with a planned opening on March 19, 2025. Producers of the show include John Leguizamo and LaChanze.

## Cast and characters

| Character | Off-Broadway | Broadway |
| Character | 2023 | 2025 |
| Omara Portuondo (adult) | Natalie Venetia Belcon | Natalie Venetia Belcon |
| Omara (young) | Kenya Browne | Isa Antonetti |
| Ibrahim Ferrer (adult) | Mel Semé |
| Ibrahim (young) | Olly Sholotan | Wesley Wray |
| Rubén González | Jainardo Batista Sterling | Jainardo Batista Sterling |
| Rubén (young) | Leonardo Reyna | Leonardo Reyna |
| Compay Segundo | Julio Monge | Julio Monge |
| Compay (young) | Jared Machado | Da'von T. Moody |
| Eliades Ochoa | Renesito Avich | Renesito Avich |
| Juan de Marcos González | Luis Vega | Justin Cunningham |
| Haydee Portuondo (young) | Danaya Desperanza | Ashley De La Rosa |

## Musical numbers
### Act I

* El Carretero
* Lágrimas Negras (song) (prelude)
* De Camino a la Vereda
* El Cumbanchero
* Veinte Años
* Que Bueno Baila Usted
* Bruca Maniguá
* Murmullo
* Drume Negrita
* Candela
* El Cumbanchero (reprise)
* Dos Gardenias

### Act II

* El Cuarto de Tula
* La Negra Tomasa
* Chan Chan (song)
* Lágrimas Negras (song)
* Dos Gardenias (reprise)
* Bruca Maniguá (reprise)
* Silencio (Rafael Hernández song)
* Candela (reprise)