Buena Vista Social Club: Musical review

Buena Vista Social Club review

Review: Buena Vista Social Club (2025 Broadway Production).

Musical Review.

Buena Vista Social Club: A New Musical performance captured in the music video.

The 2025 Broadway production of Buena Vista Social Club at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre offers a vibrant celebration of Cuban music and culture. Directed by Saheem Ali with a book by Marco Ramirez, the musical brings to life the stories of legendary Cuban musicians, weaving between the 1950s and the 1990s. The show features an onstage 12-piece Afro-Cuban band, delivering electrifying performances of classics like "Chan Chan" and "Dos Gardenias".

Buena Vista Social Club: A Vibrant Celebration of Cuban Music with Dramatic Hiccups on Broadway

Almost thirty years after the album that put Cuban son back on the world’s playlist—and a good quarter-century after Wim Wenders’ wistful documentary—Buena Vista Social Club has finally landed on Broadway. At the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, the show greets you with open arms, eager to pay tribute to the band of elders who made Havana swing again. What it delivers is a rousing, if slightly lopsided, evening that places its bets on rhythm and joy more than on plot.

From the first crack of bongos in “El Carretero,” the stage all but vibrates. Guitars chatter, horns answer back, dancers flicker across the floor, and you can feel the house leaning forward as if invited to the party. Broadway rarely gives us a production so unabashedly in love with the act of music-making itself; here, the songs aren’t background decoration—they’re the show’s bloodstream.

Playwright Marco Ramirez threads two eras together: Havana in 1956, teetering on the edge of revolution, and 1996, when producer Juan de Marcos (played with breezy warmth by Justin Cunningham) corrals the long-retired greats for one last crack at glory. The device lets us witness fresh-faced Omara (a magnetic Isa Antonetti) torn between nightclub fame and music for the barrio, even as her older self prepares to step back into the limelight. Fictional flourishes show up—especially in sisterly spats between Omara and Haydee—and once in a while, the dialogue strains to connect the dots. Still, the affection for the real-life legends, from Compay Segundo to Ibrahim Ferrer, shines through.

Visually and sonically, the production is a feast. Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck’s choreography sends bodies rippling like palm fronds in a seaside breeze, Dede Ayite’s jewel-toned costumes glow against Arnulfo Maldonado’s wrought-iron balconies, and Renesito Avich, channeling tres wizard Eliades Ochoa, shreds solos that would make even Jimi Hendrix sit up and listen.

Where the piece wobbles is in its reluctance to wade into deeper waters, hints of political upheaval, the ache of exile, the compromises of survival—all surface, then recede before they disturb the celebratory mood. As a result, the narrative feels thinner than the music is rich, and exposition sometimes lands with a thud. More than once, you catch yourself thinking: splendid concert, but where’s the dramatic meat?

There’s an added irony: the very spectacle risks turning the once-intimate songs into a souvenir-shop postcard. A climactic nod to the Grammy win, for instance, suggests American trophies are the stamp of legitimacy—a notion that may ring hollow to those who know how fiercely local this music really is. That said, amid a Broadway landscape stuffed with jukebox retreads, Buena Vista Social Club’s unfiltered exuberance is a breath of fresh Caribbean air.

When all’s sung and danced, what lingers is the pulse. The story may stray, the stakes may feel modest, yet the moment the band kicks in, you’re transported—no passport required. If you’re hunting for an evening where the groove rules and history hums in every chord, pull up a chair. Havana’s heartbeat is alive and, for two exhilarating hours, it belongs to all of us.

Critics have lauded the production's musicality and choreography. The New York Post described it as an "electrifying journey through Cuban music and dance," highlighting the show's ability to transport audiences to a vibrant, sun-soaked Havana. The Guardian noted the musical's exuberance, though it pointed out that the narrative is somewhat thin, serving primarily as a vehicle for the music. - New York Post, The Guardian Audience reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with an 81% approval rating on Show-Score. Theatregoers praised the show's vibrancy and the authenticity of its musical performances. However, some noted that the storyline could benefit from deeper development. - New York Theatre Guide

Review: Buena Vista Social Club — Time Out New York

Buena Vista Social Club: A New Musical performance — Performance of 'Buena Vista Social Club: A New Musical' in the music video.

“Buena Vista Social Club offers an irresistible tropical vacation. A celebration of Cuban musical history, it’s a getaway and a gateway.” Fortunately, the plot is just a hanger for the musical numbers, which is where Buena Vista Social Club comes to thrilling life.”

Review: Buena Vista Social Club — The Guardian

> “The Broadway staging has both an emotional charge and a refreshing lack of bombast compared with other productions attempting to replicate pop-culture phenomena.” > “If that sounds more like a few juicy scenes than a full-on epic, well, you’re on to something; this Buena Vista is more involving than a typical concert, but substantially thinner than a truly great play.”

Review: Buena Vista Social Club — Theatrely

> “There is no doubt by the time you leave, you will have been transported to the heart of Havana with a smile on your face.” > “On a recent Saturday matinee, the roars of the crowd following every song were akin to a pop-star night at Madison Square Garden.”

Review: Buena Vista Social Club — New York Theatre Guide

> “From the first stage direction — ‘We begin with music’ — to the final bow, the infectiously exuberant and joyous show tells and shows exactly what it’s about.” > “Songs sung entirely in Spanish keep heads bobbing and bodies wriggling to the beat throughout the evening.”

Review: Buena Vista Social Club — DidTheyLikeIt

> “This Buena Vista Social Club is more involving than a typical concert, but substantially thinner than a truly great play, despite great production work all around.”

Thumbnail from Buena Vista Social Club: A New Musical lyric video — Screenshot from the 'Buena Vista Social Club: A New Musical' music video, capturing the mood and meaning of the song.

Overall, Buena Vista Social Club stands out as a musical experience that prioritizes the celebration of Cuban music and culture, offering audiences a rich auditory and visual journey.

Highlights.

Authentic live performances by a 12-piece Afro-Cuban band.
Dynamic choreography blending Afro-Cuban, ballet, and ballroom styles.
Strong performances, particularly by Natalie Venetia Belcon as Omara Portuondo.
Immersive set design capturing the essence of Havana.

Considerations.

The narrative is secondary to the musical performances.
Some audience members may find the storyline lacks depth.

Conclusion.

Scene from Buena Vista Social Club: A New Musical track — Visual effects scene from 'Buena Vista Social Club: A New Musical' enhancing the experience of the song words and music.

Buena Vista Social Club offers a compelling musical experience that immerses audiences in the rich tapestry of Cuban music and dance. While the storyline may not be the show's strongest aspect, the production's musical and visual elements provide a captivating and culturally enriching experience.
Last Update:July, 08th 2025

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