From Havana to Broadway: A Buena Vista Social Club Review
- Sidney Marie
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway is an underrated hit and here's why.
We’re not here to write novels, just to get you to the fun part. So here’s the plan: quick details, honest review, and your ultimate date night cheat sheet.
Your Pre-Show Primer: All the Essential Details
Full Title: Buena Vista Social Club
Theater: Schoenfeld Theatre, 236 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036, map
Main Cast: Natalie Venetia Belcon, Julio Monge, and Isa Antonetti
Running Time: Approximately 2 hour and 10 minutes, one intermission
Lyrics and Music: Based on the music of Buena Vista Social Club
Tickets: See Availability Here
Plot: Inspired by the legendary Cuban ensemble, this musical brings to life the personal stories and rhythms behind Buena Vista Social Club. Journey through Havana’s golden age of music, where lives are entwined with the heartbeat of son, bolero, and mambo — all in a celebration of memory, resilience, and song.
Rhythms, Roots, and Revelations: A BVSC Performance Review
We’ve been making the rounds on Broadway lately, checking out show after show in the name of “research” — but Buena Vista Social Club was a little different. This time, I wasn’t just there as a reviewer but as a daughter. My dad has been a lifelong fan of Cuban music, especially the legendary Buena Vista Social Club (he even went to one of their NYC performances back in the day).
For his birthday, I figured what better gift than tickets to the Broadway version of the music he loves? I went in expecting it to be his night, but what I didn’t expect was just how much I’d end up loving it too. Somewhere between his record player and my childhood, those songs must’ve embedded themselves in my brain — I found myself knowing almost every tune. But even more impressive than the nostalgia was the performance itself.
In another review, I mentioned the immersive magic of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club — the way it makes you feel like you are more Berlin underground club guest than an audience member. Well, Buena Vista Social Club pulled off something beautifully similar. For much of the show, it felt less like you were at a Broadway theater and more like you’d wandered into a live Havana concert.
A huge part of that experience came from the onstage band. They were, in a word, superb. I was lucky enough to be seated close to the stage, but honestly, I don’t think there was a bad seat in the house. Even the last row of the mezzanine had to feel the warmth, the texture, and the heart behind every note the band played. And the singing? Don’t even get me started. I’ll get into the individual standouts in a second, but as an ensemble, their passion poured out so powerfully it took everything in me not to jump up and dance... or cry. Sometimes both.
Now, let’s talk about the true heart of this show: Omara. Whether played by the young, wide-eyed Isa Antonetti or the seasoned, soulful Natalie Venetia Belcon, Omara is the thread that ties this story together. But on the night I went, the role of the elder Omara belonged to her alternate, Sophia Ramos — and let me tell you, “alternate” barely feels like the right word. “Guest star” might be more fitting, because Sophia’s performance was nothing short of breathtaking. She commanded the stage with a presence so strong, it was easy to forget you weren’t actually watching the real Omara. And when she sang Dos Gardenias — the emotion in her voice hit so deep, I felt like I had lived her heartbreak, her longing, and her love for home.
And while Sophia left me speechless, Isa Antonetti deserves just as much praise. She has all the makings of a future Broadway legend. Her voice was clear and rich, her acting perfectly balanced youthful hope and the shadow of heartache. Watching her felt like witnessing the start of something special.
Now, before I wrap this up, there’s one more name I have to mention: Ashley de la Rosa. Back in 2018, I saw Mean Girls on Broadway when Ashley Park, who you probably know from Emily in Paris, was starring as Gretchen Wieners. But the day I went, her alternate stepped in, and that alternate was remarkable. Flash forward to Buena Vista Social Club, when I opened my Playbill, the name “Ashley de la Rosa” jumped off the page. I couldn’t place why, but after watching her absolutely shine as Haydee, I finally connected the dots. Not only was she just as impressive as I remembered, but this time it was her acting, even more than her vocals, that stole the show for me. Ashley de la Rosa isn’t just a name I’ll remember, she’s someone I’d happily buy a ticket for, no matter what the show is, just to see her perform again.
Okay, enough of me fangirling over this wildly talented cast. Let’s get to the real test: would I see it again? Or, more importantly, would my father — the lifelong Buena Vista Social Club superfan — see it again? The answer: absolutely! He thanked me about ten times for bringing him, and before we’d even left the theater, he’d already said he wanted to return.
Crafting a Cuban-Inspired Date Night: Where to go for Buena Vista Social Club Inspired Date
Looking for a bite to match the rhythm of the night? I’ve got you covered. First up: Coppelia, a 24-hour Cuban diner that serves up Latin comfort food classics like Ropa Vieja and Pernil. Whether you're fueling up before the show or grabbing a late-night snack after, this spot hits the spot any time.
Now, if you're really in the mood to turn this into a full-on Cuban-inspired date night — or better yet, a whole weekend — I’ve got one more for you. My dad swears by Son Cubano over in Jersey, and honestly, I get why. The food’s great, but the real star here is the live music that’ll have you feeling like you never left the show. Worth the extra trip, trust me.
We want in on your Cuban night out, so snap a pic and tag @popupgirlsnyc. We’ll be waiting to swoon right along with you!
