MIAMI (WSVN) - The red carpet has been rolled out for the Tony Award-winning musical “Buena Vista Social Club,” as it arrives at a South Florida theater.
The musical draws on the true story of Cuban musicians who reunited in the 1990s to record a Grammy-winning album of the same name, with the timeline jumping between pre-revolution Havana and the show’s present-day recording session.
“A lot of beautiful music, a lot of energy, a lot of amazing energy, a lot of talent from the dancers, musicians and a beautiful palette of colors,” said Frank Rodríguez, who plays Compay in the show.
After taking Broadway by storm, the hit musical officially launched its national tour, and now Miami gets its turn to take it all in.
“Be ready to have a really good time and, you know, cry, laugh, dance. Whatever it is that you want to do; you know, we have it for you there,” said Rodríguez.
The red carpet welcomed Cuban-American and Miami icons, like Cuban composer Chucho Valdes and the whole Estefan family.
“I was a baby when this music came out, but I sang it my entire life,” said Gloria Estefan. “It’s the music that I played on my guitar and sang to my grandmother and mother. And we sang together as a family, so it’s extra special now to share with my grandson.”
Playwright Marco Ramirez told 7News that bringing the show to Miami has a special significance.
“I was born in Hialeah Hospital and raised here, and Cuban music has always been part of my life,” said Ramirez. “I’m from a big Cuban family, and from the very beginning, the notion of taking the show to New York and going on Broadway was something that was always amazing, and I was very happy and proud of it, but in the back of my head I was like, ‘But ideally, if we get it to Miami at some point, that’ll be the icing on the cake.'”
This stop on the tour hits close to home for some cast members, too.
Miami native Destinee Jimenez is bringing this Cuban story to the city where she grew up.
“I’m honestly so happy,” said Jimenez. “When I first saw it on Broadway, I cried. I was bawling because I had never been to Cuba, and Cuba came to me through this musical. And so when I got it, I was just so ecstatic, and finding out that we were going to be in Miami was just surreal.”
Jimenez gets to take part in traditional Cuban music and dance as an ensemble member and Assistant Dance Captain.
“We’re going to be showing them the story of this album, “Buena Vista Social Club,” so you’re going to see this beautiful set that they’ve created, beautiful costuming, lots of dancing,” Jimenez said.
For Jimenez, this homecoming meant her whole family gathered to support her.
“My whole family, my abuela, my tío, tía, everybody, they’re all here,” said Jimenez. “It means so much to me because I know that so many families, like Latino families, are going to come and enjoy this musical.”
The show puts a fresh spin on the classic tunes, keeping the same soul but under a new spotlight.
“The story goes back and forth between the ’50s and the ’90s, and we see her in the ’90s trying to figure out, does she want to touch her past, go back to this music that she’s found out about?” Jimenez said. “So it’s really beautiful to see the back and forth of that.”
At the heart of the story, a young producer offers legendary singer Omara Portuando one more shot in the recording studio. It’s a chance to face the past and find her voice again.
Karmine Alers, who plays Omara, said she can relate to her character, being an artist herself.
“It is important to follow what it is that you truly love, number one,” said Alers. “That is definitely key, and I think that Omara, playing the role of Omara, has taught me that, that you do need to just follow what is truly is in your heart.”
Curtain call Wednesday night concluded the first night of the show’s national tour.
“The story, you know, is rooted in true events and, you know, real people about the Grammy Award-winning album,” Rodríguez said.
“Buena Vista Social Club” will perform at the Ziff Ballet Opera House at the Adrienne Arsht Center until Sunday as part of the center’s “Broadway in Miami” series.
Tickets range from $52.65 to $228.15, including fees.
“Bringing all of these musicians together from Cuba to reignite the music of the golden age is just a chef’s kiss,” said Alers.
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