Gina Torres to star in 'Buena Vista Social Club' on Broadway

More than 30 years after making her Broadway debut, she will temporarily step in for Tony Award winner Natalie Venetia Belcon to play an iconic Cuban singer.

Summary

Gina Torres will play Omara Portuondo in Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway from October 13 to November 29
Current star Natalie Venetia Belcon will take a planned leave of absence to star in In the Heights
Buena Vista Social Club tells a fictionalized story of the same-named Cuban band and the creation of their landmark album

Gillian RussoSeptember 10, 2026, 04:00

¡Bienvenidos! TV and film star Gina Torres (Suits, Firefly, 911: Lone Star) will join the Buena Vista Social Club Broadway cast as Omara Portuondo from October 13 to November 29, while Tony Award winner Natalie Venetia Belcon takes a leave of absence to star in In the Heights.

Torres made her Broadway debut in 1994 in David Henry Hwang’s Face Value and performed off Broadway in Pen Pals earlier this year.

“I am over the moon about joining the cast of Buena Vista Social Club and stepping into the shoes of the legendary Omara Portuondo,” said Torres in a statement. “I fell in love with the show and everyone in it when I first saw it. Being first generation Cuban/American, it resonated on so many levels. I grew up listening to these songs. They’re the heartbeat of everything that feels like home and connects me to my family and my culture. I trust that my parents, who have both passed, will have their hands on me, when I step onto that stage.”

The Buena Vista Social Club musical, inspired by the same-named band and its landmark Grammy-winning album, tells a fictionalized story of the artists who reunited in the '90s to revive a bygone era of Cuban music, decades after the Cuban Revolution upended their careers and their culture.

Buena Vista Social Club won five Tony Awards in 2025, when it began its critically acclaimed run at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Learn more about the show.

Get Buena Vista Social Club tickets now.

Photo credit: Gina Torres. (Photo by Aaron Farrier)

Frequently asked questions

What is Buena Vista Social Club about?

Hear the Grammy-winning eponymous album by Buena Vista Social Club come to life on stage in this 10-time Tony Award-nominated production. Discover how the pioneering music group revitalized the Cuban music scene and ushered in its Golden Age in this show that honors the vibrant, timeless sounds of the Caribbean.

How long is Buena Vista Social Club?

The running time of Buena Vista Social Club is 2hr 10min. Incl. 1 intermission.

Where is Buena Vista Social Club playing?

Buena Vista Social Club is playing at Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre . The theatre is located at 236 West 45th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue), New York, 10036.

How much do tickets cost for Buena Vista Social Club?

Tickets for Buena Vista Social Club start at $64.

What's the age recommendation for Buena Vista Social Club?

The recommended age for Buena Vista Social Club is Ages 8+. Children under 4 are not permitted in the theatre..

How do you book tickets for Buena Vista Social Club?

Book tickets for Buena Vista Social Club on New York Theatre Guide.

Is Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway or Off-Broadway?

Buena Vista Social Club is playing Broadway.

Is Buena Vista Social Club accessible?

Wheelchair seating in the Orchestra only. Step-free entrance. Assisted listening and audio description. Partial wheelchair access, handrails.

Who is in the cast of Buena Vista Social Club?

The cast of Buena Vista Social Club includes José "Candelita" Iglesias (as Narrator), Natalie Venetia Belcon (as Omara), Rick Negron (as Compay), Mel Semé (as Ibrahim), Jainardo Batista Sterling (as Rubén), Isa Antonetti (as Young Omara), Da’von Moody (as Young Compay), Wesley Wray (as Young Ibrahim), Jesus Pupo (as Young Rubén), Renesito Avich (as Eliades), Ashley De La Rosa (as Young Haydee), Chris Myers (as Juan de Marcos).