All articles tagged with #buena vista social club
Former Mets star Jose Iglesias, who has pursued music as his stage name Candelita and had the hit 'OMG' that highlighted the 2024 Home Run Derby, made his Broadway debut Thursday as the Narrator in Buena Vista Social Club at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre.
Former Mets shortstop José Iglesias, famed for his pop song 'OMG' and musical talent, will join Broadway's Buena Vista Social Club as narrator for a six‑week run starting Aug. 27, becoming the first Latino MLB player to perform on Broadway.
Former Mets player and Cuban musician José Iglesias will make his Broadway debut as the Narrator in Buena Vista Social Club, beginning August 27 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Iglesias, who has released Latin-pop singles such as Tambor and OMG, joins a Tony-nominated musical that brings the Buena Vista Social Club story to life on stage, with director Saheem Ali praising his authentic charisma and cultural connection.
José Iglesias, the MLB star and Latin pop artist known as Candelita, will make his Broadway debut as the Narrator in the Tony- and Grammy-winning Buena Vista Social Club for six weeks beginning August 27. The show, at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, chronicles the Cuban band’s rise and revival of Cuban music; it runs 2 hours 10 minutes with one intermission and tickets start at $64. Iglesias, who has played for several MLB teams and recorded the song “OMG,” says this is a dream and will be the first Latino MLB player to perform on Broadway, as the production continues its celebrated Broadway run following its 2025 Tony success.
Natalie Venetia Belcon, a Broadway actress and Tony nominee, plays the regal Cuban singer Omara Portuondo in 'Buena Vista Social Club,' and while she feels she’s not as regal as her character, she has worked to embody her commanding presence, which leaves fans in awe and slightly intimidated.
The Off Broadway musical "Buena Vista Social Club" brings the Cuban songs popularized on the 1997 album to life with the thrill of intimacy and the weight of history. Directed by Saheem Ali, the production enhances the music with live performances and social dancing, while the narrative provides context to what would otherwise be just a concert. The musical's book by Marco Ramirez uses the recording sessions of the original album as its framework, introducing the star of the show, Omara Portuondo. Despite some heavy subplots and a crowded stage, the songs prevail, lending coherence and depth to the story with their exquisite harmonies and raw brass.