Put him in, coach. He’s ready to perform.
Starting Oct. 22, legendary New York Yankees centerfielder — and Latin Grammy-nominated jazz guitarist (!) — Bernie Williams slides into Broadway’s “Buena Vista Social Club” for a five-week run in the Tony Award-winning musical that concludes Nov. 29.
Williams, 58, won’t act per se; instead, he’ll appear onstage at all boisterous “Buena Vista” shows as a guitarist in the live production band.
And, as an added bonus, he’ll share the spotlight with former Met/”OMG” singer Jose Iglesias up until Nov. 15 when “Candelita” performs as the “narrator” for the last time after having his stay extended.
If you’d like to see the four-time World Series champion Williams along with Iglesias live, tickets are available for all “BVSC” performances featuring the two of them.
At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on seats to catch the two of them live was $81 including fees on Vivid Seats.
Other shows at the Schoenfeld Theatre have tickets starting anywhere from $82 to $137 including fees.
“I am excited about the opportunity to join ‘Buena Vista Social Club’ because the music was part of my childhood growing up,” Williams said. “I remember my mother listening to this music on Sunday afternoons and it reminds me of wonderful times with my family when I was a kid. The opportunity to play that same music on Broadway in this show is truly a dream come true.”
After Iglesias was added to the ensemble, The Post attended a show to see if his natural charisma translated to the stage.
“He slides into the cast with ease, like a great pinch hitter,” they reported. “[Iglesias] lands jokes and delivers exposition with pitch-perfect precision. Not a stutter or false note; the man is all swagger, bravado and effortless cool.”
Now that sounds like a home run.
We’ll see ya on the Great White Way (hopefully, fingers crossed while the Yankees are still in the playoffs).
For more information, our team has everything you want to know and more about seeing Bernie Williams at “Buena Vista Social Club” on Broadway below.
Note: TV and film star Gina Torres (“Suits,” “Firefly,” “911: Lone Star”) is also slated to join the cast alongside Iglesias on Oct. 13 and will wrap her stint on Nov. 29 like Williams. She’s sliding into the lead Omara role that Natalie Venetia Belcon originated and won a Tony Award for this past June.
What do the cheapest tickets cost to see Bernie Williams in “Buena Vista Social Club” on Broadway?
As of now, there are only eight shows with seats going for less than $90 including fees for Bernie Williams’ scheduled performances with Jose Iglesias from Oct. 22 through Nov. 15 at the Schoenfeld Theatre.
Based on our findings, here are the eight show dates with tickets for less than $90 including fees in chronological order by date:
| Bernie Williams and Jose Iglesias “Buena Vista Social Club” dates |
Ticket prices start at |
|---|---|
| Thursday, Oct. 22 7 p.m. |
$89 (including fees) |
| Friday, Oct. 23 7 p.m. |
$89 (including fees) |
| Friday, Oct. 30 7 p.m. |
$81 (including fees) |
| Thursday, Nov. 5 7 p.m. |
$86 (including fees) |
| Tuesday, Nov. 10 7 p.m. |
$81 (including fees) |
| Wednesday, Nov. 11 2 p.m. |
$82 (including fees) |
| Thursday, Nov. 12 7 p.m. |
$84 (including fees) |
| Friday, Nov. 13 7 p.m. |
$81 (including fees) |
Where can I buy Yankees tickets?
If you want to see the Bronx Bombers at Yankee Stadium, tickets for all remaining regular season games (including a Josh Hart bobblehead night on Sept. 25) and hypothetical playoff series can be scooped up here.
What is it like seeing “Buena Vista Social Club” on Broadway?
Outside of Jose Iglesias’ small but mighty role in “BVSC,” the musical is a powerhouse.
But let’s start at the beginning.
Before the show gets underway at the stately Schoenfeld Theater, a piano, bongos and a drum kit sit onstage in front of a warmly-lit Cuban courtyard with faded walls that smack of a June summer night. There’s a tropical energy in the air. It feels like you’ve stepped into a villa.
In the off-chance you need a moment to yourself before the show, go downstairs and you’ll find spotless restrooms next to a merch booth and bar serving cocktails, soda and wine.
Hurry up, though. The show is starting again soon and you won’t want to miss a minute.
Prior to “BSVC” officially kicking off, session musicians enter before the cast. The players aren’t just standing around either; no, they’re having a gas playing licks of “Dos Gardenias” while trading knowing laughs.
Within minutes, “Buena Vista” finally arrives.
The cast crowds the stage to dance, sing and play but the setting never feels busy. Director Saheem Ali makes every fluid movement wholly intentional while writer Marco Ramirez’s snappy dialogue soars to the cheap seats.
Once the jaunty opening number concludes, an easy rapport develops between the standoffish, closed-off elder 1996 Omara (Tony winner Natalie Venetia Belcon, who originated the role off-Broadway and made me tear up the way she reverentially addressed a band member of hers for the first time in 40 years) and hammy Rubén (Leonardo Reyna, also originated his role) who are brought together by plucky producer Juan de Marcos González (Justin Cunningham).
Soon after, “Buena Vista” whisks us to the past and introduces us to their younger counterparts in war-torn 1958 Cuba. We learn about their complicated yet exciting history during a difficult time in the country’s history where they meet, play The Tropicana, recruit the gifted busboy Ibrahim (the younger version, Wesley Wray, steals the show) and ultimately lose touch.
Punchy banter, panache and attitude (as well as powerful lines like “I listened to you my whole life, thank you for listening to me” that stick to your bones) keep this thing pulsing but, make no mistake, the music is the real star here.
“Buena Vista Social Club” is almost more like a crowd-pleasing concert than it is a musical. The band delivers nonstop dynamic Son Cubano bops and, to steal a line from the show, “blow the roof off the place.”
On a technical level, “BVSC” makes the most of the Schoenfeld Theater, moving an onstage platform back and forth with grace while filling out scenes with painterly lighting. Bold colors pop every which way you look and add to the production’s celebratory energy.
Final Verdict: My only complaint? We can’t get up and dance. “Buena Vista Social Club” is a joy re-telling of a tough time in history that still has modern relevance for the Cuban diaspora and must be witnessed live.
Bonus Note: Renesito Avich takes the reins to get the second half of the show going and gives the show its most indelible moment with an inspired acoustic guitar performance that’s half silly Chaplin slapstick, half jaw-dropping Clapton virtuosity. It’s a sight to behold and a snippet can be seen here.
Who is in “Buena Vista Social Club”?
If you’d like to match names to faces, here’s who’s who of just a few players in the current cast of “Buena Vista Social Club.”
Natalie Venetia Belcon (Omara) won the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical got “BVSC.” Other notable Broadway roles include “Matilda” (Mrs. Phelps), “Avenue Q” (original cast as Gary Coleman) and “Rent” (Joanne). [Editor’s Note: Belcon will be replaced by Torres on Oct. 13.]
Isa Antonetti (Young Omara) is making her Broadway Debut in “Buena Vista Social Club.” She is a Latinx, Indigenous, Mixed Race LGBTQIA+ actress and singer from the Greater Rochester, New York area and currently completing her BFA in Musical Theatre at Carnegie Mellon University.
Rick Negron (Compay) was born and raised in Puerto Rico. He’s also appeared in “In The Heights” (Kevin Rosario), “Goodbye Girl,” “Legs Diamond,” “Drood” and “Leader Of The Pack” on Broadway.
Da’von T. Moody (Young Company) also makes his Broadway Debut with “BVSC” but has had the pleasure of taking part in many other projects including the National Tour for “MJ the Musical” (Alejandro).
Jose Iglesias (The Narrator) joined the Mets in 2024, which was one of the most magical seasons in the team’s 60+-year history as they went on a tear fueled in party by Iglesias’ play on the field and his irresistible earworm “OMG” that ended up debuting at #1 on Billboard’s Latin Digital Song Sales chart.
Bios come with infomation from “Buena Vista Social Club’s” website.
Huge musicals on Broadway in 2026
Need even more fun-loving, nonstop dance party musicals in your life?
You’ve come to the right place.
Here are just five other shows with somewhat similar sensibilities to “Buena Vista Social Club” that you won’t want to miss on Broadway these next few months.
Curious what else is out there? Take a look at our list of all the 2026 Tony-nominated shows to find the one that makes the most sense for you.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
