Buena Vista Social Club™
book BY MARco ramirez
music BY the grammy award winning buena vista social club
Creative Consultant David Yazbek
CHOREOGRAPHY BY patricia delgado & justin peck
developed & DIRECTED BY saheem ali
November 17, 2023 – January 28, 2024
Linda Gross Theater
With a book by Marco Ramirez (The Royale), director Saheem Ali (Tony Nominee, Fat Ham) leads an ensemble of visionary performing artists, including a band of renowned musicians from across the globe and a music team led by David Yazbek (Tony Winner, The Band’s Visit), and choreography by Patricia Delgado (Spielberg’s West Side Story) and Justin Peck (Tony Winner, Carousel). Buena Vista Social Club™ is an homage to the artists of yesterday—the ones who survived upheaval and oppression to make the music they loved.
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Inspired by true events, the new musical Buena Vista Social Club™ brings the iconic Grammy-winning album of pulsing Afro-Cuban music thrillingly to the stage.
In 1950s Havana, a group of young musicians creates a sound that shakes the world of Cuban music—until the revolution changes everything. Forty years later, the band is brought back together to record the songs they left behind. With decades of heartbreak fueling every note, they unexpectedly go on to create the greatest-selling world music album of all time, immortalizing their songs and their legacy.
Inspirado en hechos reales, el nuevo musical Buena Vista Social Club™ trae el icónico álbum ganador del Grammy vibrando con música Afro-Cubana emocionantemente al escenario. En La Habana de los años cincuenta, un grupo de jóvenes músicos crean un sonido que sacude el mundo de la música cubana – hasta que una revolución política pone fin a todo. Cuarenta años después, la banda se reúne para grabar esas canciones que dejaron atrás. Con décadas de angustia alimentando cada nota, ellos inesperadamente crean el álbum de música mundial más vendido de todos los tiempos, inmortalizando sus canciones y su legado.
Con libro de Marco Ramirez (The Royale), director Saheem Ali (Tony Nominee, Fat Ham) lidera un conjunto de artistas visionarios, incluyendo una banda de músicos renombrados de todo el mundo, y un equipo musical liderado por David Yazbek (Tony Winner, The Band’s Visit) y coreografía de Patricia Delgado (West Side Story de Spielberg) y Justin Peck (Tony Winner, Carousel). Buena Vista Social Club™ les brinda homenaje a los artistas del ayer, aquellos que sobrevivieron agitación y opresión para crear la música que tanto amaban.
Reviews
“The full-of-riches new musical adds the thrill of intimacy and the weight of history, bringing a classic record to life.
Exquisite harmonies, delirious polyrhythms and raw brass.”
Jesse Green, the new york times
★★★★
“Lush, vibrant, and celebratory! Makes you want to get up and dance. A unique and worthwhile treat!”
gillian russo, new york theatre guide
★★★★
“An irresistible tropical vacation. A celebration of Cuban musical history, it’s a getaway and a gateway: Just give yourself over to the sounds that pour out from the stage.”
adam feldman, time out NY
“An electric and exhilarating world-premiere production! One of the most invigorating, joyous, and soul-satisfying shows playing in New York right now.
The rich performances alone are worth the price of admission. The theater positively erupts!”
pete hempstead, theatermania
“An exciting stage musical and dance spectacular.
Saheem Ali goes to the top of the list of directors who stage musicals.”
robert hofler, the wrap
“Masterful international musicians, with a top-notch ensemble.
If you’re not already a fan of Afro-Cuban music, Buena Vista Social Club is sure to make you one; don’t miss it.”
Deb miller, dc metro theater arts
“An exquisitely crafted work of cultural triumph and wistfulness.
Terrific ensemble! The production, brimming with gifted Latine actors, dancers, and musicians, feels refreshingly genuine.”
juan a. ramirez, theatrely
“An embarrassment of riches, Buena Vista Social Club is a fantástico two hours of a heartwarming and joyful celebration of love.
Go for the music. Stay for the music. And the dancing. And the acting. And the story. And the direction. And the set design. And all the rest of the et ceteras thrown into the mix.
A magical production in every way. ¡Larga vida la Buena Vista Social Club!”
howard miller, Talkin’ broadway
“Right now, the hottest club in town is the Atlantic Theater. I don’t care how cold it gets in New York, get yourself down there while you can!”
brian scott lipton, cititour
★★★★
“A triumphant musical! The only people who won’t embrace this joyous show either don’t like music or don’t have a pulse.”
frank scheck, new york stage review
“Full of wonderful singing and orchestral dazzle, supreme execution of music and dance. The whole building warmly vibrates with percussive brilliance.”
tim teeman, daily beast