The new Broadway musical strikes a universal chord of excitement, joy, and love-loss among theater patrons.

Move over MSG and Radio City Music Hall; this new Broadway musical recently brought the house down to a packed 1,080-seat smaller venue. The clapping, head-bopping, and toe-tapping continued throughout the performance from theatergoers, young and old. It was an electrifying musical shock to the senses, reverberating well after the curtain call and the lights went dark.

The story, inspired by true events, follows producer Juan de Marcos González (Justin Cunningham, King Lear, Succession) attempting to reunite acclaimed Cuban performers from a pre-revolution era of the Buena Vista Social Club from Marianoa, Cuba, where infectious live music filled the hearts and tickled the feet of Black Cubans banned from playing in white clubs on the island for one last record. An album compilation that would win a Latin Grammy and see worldwide success much later. De Marcos is determined to collaborate with Omara Portuondo (Natalie Venetia Belcon, Matilda, Avenue Q), one of the most talented vocalists since the 50s. Omara reproaches De Marcos’ offer. She’s standoffish. Distant. And unwilling to disclose her reluctance to the reunion.

Until…

We flashback to her younger self at age 19, when she was part of a singing group with her older sister, Haydee. The duo performs regularly in Cuba’s infamous Tropicana Club and has an opportunity to sign with Capital Records in America. However, young Omara (Isa Antonetti) is conflicted about moving to America, and her desire for singing soars after an encounter with a young Afro-Cuban musician, Ibrahim Ferrer (Wesley Wray), who doubles as a busboy at The Buena Vista Social Club. It’s at this club that Omara awakens the capacity of her vocal instrument and sings from her heart with Ibrahim and other talented musicians like Compay Segundo, played wonderfully by Julio Monge (On Your Feet, Wet Brain), and Eliades (Renesito Avich, Cuban Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter), that breaks out into a jaw-dropping guitar solo that will blow your mind.

It’s a musical tale rife with upended familial bonds and new friendships formed and disintegrated with music at the center. As young Omara, Isa Antonetti makes her Broadway debut with a multi-ranged voice primed for the stage. Belcon, as the older Omara, steps the solemn singer’s role with ease and conviction. Wesley Wray also makes his Broadway debut as young Ibrahim Ferrer, a charmer who masterfully sings through his character’s turmoil. The set and costume design transports viewers into a pre-revolution Cuba with beautiful orange/red sunsets, shimmering outfits, and intoxicating Cuban music that can’t be quelled and activates every cell in your body.

The Buena Vista Social Club musical, written by Marco Ramirez (Orange is the New Black, Daredevil), developed and directed by Saheem Ali (Goddess, Fat Ham), choreographed by Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck, and music by Buena Vista Social Club™, is running at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. To learn more about this phenomenal musical and get tickets, click here.

Entire Cast, Production, and Band Credits.