Buena Vista Social Club at Atlantic Theater Company — Page 2

I always look forward to that one musical in December to lift my spirits, and generally rely upon either New York Theater Workshop or the Atlantic to scratch that itch (The Bands Visit, Kimberly, Once are my favourite examples). Buena Vista Social Club was that wondrous December musical I was looking for. To be clear, it has many failings, but reliving the joyous music I listened to as a teenager live was intoxicating: until this, I haven't left a show smiling ear-to-ear in quite some time.

I think this has life on Broadway (or perhaps off), but I agree that it needs a deep rewrite. An easy change: more music and less book. This production used but a fraction of Buena Vista Social Club music that is available, and left so much from the 1997 untouched. The book could easily be compressed by reducing (removing?) the story and limiting it to a series of vignettes. Buena Vista Social Club (band, album, history) is so much more than about its members. The music is the most important part. It shines well in its current state, but it could shine brighter.

Final extension just announced through 1/28. Previous extensions sold out quickly, so if you want to catch this, move fast. I saw it last night and had a great time; I agree with previous posters that the book is pretty cringeworthy, and not sure if the show will have life after this run, but the music and dancing are just so exhilarating that I still give it a big thumbs up overall. The whole audience was enthusiastic and seemed to love it, and my group left with big smiles on our faces.

Wow! The prices for the extension range from $150 (front row) to mainly $175 and $200 seats! At those prices I'll wait for a possible Broadway transfer!

Updated On: 1/5/24 at 04:51 PM

CukorLover said: "Wow! The prices for the extension range from $150 (front row) to mainly $175 and $200 seats! At those prices I'll wait for a possible Broadway transfer!"

Despite Atlantic's desire to get all their new musicals to Broadway, I would not anticipate a transfer for this one. And while I don't strongly recommend it, I think now may be your only chance if you really want to see this.

You're right. A couple singers were noticeably weak. But the musicians were stellar. And Leonardo Reyna as Young Ruben was an amazing pianist.

AntV said: "What happened to the todaytix rush? The show's listing doesn't even exist on there anymore. Will they have rush tickets at the box office instead? Even if the show is sold out?"

When Atlantic has a hit that extends, the pull the TodayTix rush.

In my mind it's one of the single tackiest things an established NYC theater does.

The casting notice specifically says offers are out for six roles (presumably to the actors from the Atlantic production).

This feels like a toughhhh sell on Broadway despite the reviews out of the Atlantic. There's not much story to hang the songs on. It's a big gamble by Orin Wolf, who is producing both Illinoise and this.

Updated On: 4/25/24 at 06:18 AM

It’ll be interesting to see if this can catch on. It succeeds as a concert but falters as a book musical. I can see this building word of mouth on the strength of the concert aspect, since it’s got a lot of crowd-pleasing and beautiful songs and the band and dancers sell it. They’ll need to work on the book or at least get it to a point where it’s a neutral.

Hopefully they get a smaller house for this. Part of the magic with the Atlantic production was being up close with the musicians and really feeling the burst of sound. Preserving that will be key.

Oracle says this will take the Schoenfeld after Notebook closes. We’ll see !!