BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB Reviews- Page 2

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 3/20/25 at 12:56am

Play Esq. said: "I’m more than a little shocked to see that this is the best reviewed show of the Broadway season, at least with that book intact!

Regardless, the musical is a feast for the soul and eardrums, I cannot wait to return. Congratulations to an incredibly talented cast and crew!"

It's reviews are on par with Death Becomes Her.  

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/20/25 at 7:07am

This will probably be the fifth-best new musical nominee along with Death Becomes Her, Maybe Happy Ending, Dead Outlaw and Mincemeat.

[MezzA101]

Posted: 3/20/25 at 7:15am

MemorableUserName said: "NYT Critic's Pick from Vincentelli

‘Buena Vista Social Club’ Brings the Thrill of Music Making to Broadway

A new musical inspired by the 1997 hit album gives a fictional back story to the veteran performers of the Havana music scene

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/theater/buena-vista-social-club-review-broadway.html"

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/theater/buena-vista-social-club-review-broadway.html?unlocked_article_code=1.5U4.6qNl.7T-c5hcrfKHm&smid=nytcore-android-share

[inception]

Posted: 3/20/25 at 9:50am

ACL2006 said: "This will probably be the fifth-best new musical nominee along with Death Becomes Her, Maybe Happy Ending, Dead Outlaw and Mincemeat."

Definitely the strongest season in a very long time.

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 3/20/25 at 9:56am

inception said: "ACL2006 said: "This will probably be the fifth-best new musical nominee along with Death Becomes Her, Maybe Happy Ending, Dead Outlaw and Mincemeat."

Definitely the strongest season in a very long time."

If you had to choose between the shows you mentioned above and BVSC, which one would you see the day after the Tony Awards? 

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/20/25 at 10:15am

That’s a Sophie’s Choice-level question.

I’d strike off DBH from the jump (it’s good fun but not on the same level as the others) and after much struggle, probably go for Mincemeat.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/20/25 at 10:28am

I'd pencil in Mincemeat as the frontrunner currently. But if Dead Outlaw gets strong reviews, it might jump ahead. Definitely the strongest season in about ten years when we had Come From Away, Great Comet and Dear Evan Hansen battling it out.

Updated On: 3/20/25 at 10:28 AM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/20/25 at 10:49am

Hot take, I’m starting to think DEATH BECOMES HER gets left out of the best musical conversation, and OLD FRIENDS takes its place. Remember, a good amount of DBH’s praise wasn’t really for the show itself, but for the two leads. 

Anyway — well done for team BVSC. Seems like a surprisingly intriguing entry into the jukebox musical canon. 

Updated On: 3/20/25 at 10:49 AM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/20/25 at 11:25am

DBH is strictly a good, campy night of theater. Nothing special and there's no moving movement in the show. Hilty and Simard have turned the dial up for the physical comedy they do in this show. It's different, but certainly not going to make waves at the Tony Awards.

[inception]

Posted: 3/20/25 at 11:42am

ACL2006 said: "DBH is strictly a good, campy night of theater. Nothing special and there's no moving movement in the show. Hilty and Simard have turned the dial up for the physical comedy they do in this show. It's different, but certainly not going to make waves at the Tony Awards."

But if the show performs a great number it could help it run for a long time.   I don't think it should be the same number they have been doing on talk shows.

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 3/20/25 at 1:02pm

So happy to read all these glowing reviews. The show's book is indeed a problem, but everything else on that stage is just magical and special. I saw this in early previews really just to check it off my list for the season and not expecting to not care about it at all, but it's become one of my absolute favorites.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 3/20/25 at 9:46pm

apologies if i missed it, but what are partial view seats on the extreme sides like? Almost half off to sit on edges of orchestra of front mezz, considering trying it since this show doesnt seem my kinda thing but very curious given the glowing reviews.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 3/20/25 at 10:18pm

Washington Post

Two must-see Broadway musicals that find joy in wartime

The outlandish comedy “Operation Mincemeat” and sonic sensation “Buena Vista Social Club” double down on delight in the midst of adversity.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater/2025/03/20/operation-mincemeat-buena-vista-social-club/

"Developed and directed by Saleem Ali, the show would be well worth it as a musical revue alone (sound design is by Jonathan Deans). In addition to a feast of Afro-Cuban numbers — including full-band showstoppers, aching boleros and laments for racial justice — the production is a visual sunburst. Choreography, by Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck, creates mesmerizing swirls of elongated limbs and ruffled midi skirts (by costume designer Dede Ayite). Lighting, by Tyler Micoleau, gathers in pools of inviting amber and orange."

[bluetuna]

Posted: 3/21/25 at 12:40am

PipingHotPiccolo said: "apologies if i missed it, but what are partial view seats on the extreme sides like? Almost half off to sit on edges of orchestra of front mezz, considering trying it since this show doesnt seem my kinda thing but very curious given the glowing reviews."

I sat orchestra right last week in a partial-view seat.  Most of the action occurs downstage, but I did miss the scenes that took place on the balcony and couldn't see the wall on the right.  The balcony scenes mostly occur at the center and at the right.  I miss the entirety of anything happening on the right, and 80% of anything happening at the center of the balcony.  Fortunately, most of the show is not set on the balcony, and the major scenes occur below, and I think the view was pretty decent for those scenes.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 3/21/25 at 7:40am

Fortunately, most of the show is not set on the balcony, and the major scenes occur below, and I think the view was pretty decent for those scenes.
 

And all the music is played on the ground platform.  You didn’t miss much not seeing the balcony scenes. I’d compare your view to a family circle seat at the Met for a mediocre production: great value to hear exceptional music, and you miss the crap.