THE SUBWAY SERIES COMES TO BROADWAY!
The Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway Hit
BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB
Welcomes Yankees Legend and Latin Grammy-nominated Jazz Guitarist
BERNIE WILLIAMS
to the Buena Vista Band
from October 22nd through November 29th
Joining Former Mets Player and Latin Pop Singer
JOSÉ “CANDELITA” IGLESIAS
Now Extended Six Weeks Due to Popular Demand
Through November 15
September 18, 2026 (New York, NY) – From Center Field to Center Stage! New York Yankees Legend Bernie Williams will be joining the Tony and Grammy-winning band of Buena Vista Social Club for six weeks only from Thursday, October 22nd through Sunday, November 29th at the Schoenfeld Theatre on Broadway.
“I am excited about the opportunity to join Buena Vista Social Club because the music was part of my childhood growing up,” said Williams. “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.”
Williams is not the only former MLB player to grace the stage at the Schoenfeld Theatre. Major League Baseball veteran and recording artist José Iglesias, known to music fans as Candelita, made history as the first Latino MLB player to debut on Broadway when he joined Buena Vista Social Club on August 27th as the Narrator for what was meant to be a six-week limited run. Due to popular demand, Iglesias will be staying with the show for another six weeks through November 15th, 2026.
“Jose Iglesias is a star in Broadway’s Buena Vista Social Club,” raved Matt Levy of the New York Post. “He slides into the ensemble with ease, like a great pinch hitter.”
Both Williams and Iglesias continue the production's celebration of Latin heritage, culture, and music, joining the Tony & Grammy Award-winning Afro-Cuban band on stage that electrifies audiences nightly at Broadway's Schoenfeld Theatre on West 45th Street.
The production also recently announced that television and film star Gina Torres (“Suits,” “Firefly,” “911: Lone Star”) will join the acclaimed Broadway production in the role of “Omara Portuondo” from Tuesday, October 13 through Sunday, November 29, 2026. Celebrated Latin artists continue to be drawn to the Schoenfeld to help bring this important and authentically Latin story to life.
Additionally, Tanairi Sade Vazquez, who is currently a swing and understudy in the company, will be taking over the role of “Young Haydee” from October 27th through November 15th during Ashley De La Rosa’s planned leave of absence.
BERNIE WILLIAMS BIO
New York Yankees Legend • Latin Grammy–Nominated Musician • Guitarist • Composer • Philanthropist
Bernie Williams is a New York Yankees legend, accomplished guitarist and composer, Latin Grammy–nominated recording artist, and philanthropist whose career has uniquely bridged the worlds of professional sports and music.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Williams spent his entire 16-year Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees, becoming one of the most celebrated by players of the franchise’s modern championship era. A five-time MLB All-Star and four-time World Series champion, Williams won four Gold Glove Awards and the 1998 American League batting title. He was also named the 1996 American League Championship Series MVP. His No. 51 was retired by the Yankees in 2015, permanently placing him among the franchise’s most honored players.
Music, however, has been a lifelong passion for Williams. He began his formal musical education as a teenager at Puerto Rico’s prestigious Escuela Libre de Música, where he studied classical guitar while simultaneously developing as an elite young athlete. His commitment to formal music education continued later in life at the renowned Manhattan School of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Performance in 2016. He now serves on the school’s Board of Trustees.
A classically trained guitarist, Williams pursued music seriously throughout and after his baseball career, developing a distinctive style that blends jazz, classical, Latin, rock, and contemporary influences.
Williams released his debut album, The Journey Within, in 2003, followed by Moving Forward in 2009. Moving Forward earned a Latin Grammy nomination and featured collaborations with acclaimed artists including Bruce Springsteen, Jon Secada, and Dave Koz. Over the years, Williams has performed with an extraordinary range of musicians and at prestigious venues across the country.
In January 2026, Williams added another milestone to his musical career with a performance at New York City’s legendary Carnegie Hall, further demonstrating the depth and longevity of a musical journey that has extended well beyond his accomplishments on the baseball field.
Williams’ connection to Latin music is deeply personal. His Puerto Rican heritage and lifelong appreciation for Caribbean musical traditions have influenced both his playing and his artistic identity. That background makes his appearances alongside productions and artists celebrating Latin music and culture a natural extension of his career.
Beyond the stage and stadium, Williams is committed to music education, health advocacy, and charitable causes. He is also the author of Rhythms of the Game: The Link Between Musical and Athletic Performance, exploring the remarkable parallels between the discipline, creativity, preparation, and performance required of elite athletes and musicians.
Few performers have achieved recognition at the highest levels of two demanding disciplines. From Yankee Stadium to Carnegie Hall, Bernie Williams has built a singular career defined by performance, musicianship, discipline, and an enduring connection to audiences around the world.
JOSÉ IGLESIAS BIO
José Antonio Iglesias Alemán, affectionately known as Candelita, is not just your typical professional baseball player; he's a multi-talented individual who has successfully bridged the worlds of sports and music. His journey into the limelight began in 2011 when he made his debut in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the prestigious Boston Red Sox. Over the years, Candelita's baseball career has taken him on a remarkable journey, including stints with the Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels, Colorado Rockies, Miami Marlins, the New York Mets, and San Diego Padres. In 2025, after a brief and impactful period with the Padres, he made the bold decision to explore the vast landscape of free agency.
However, Candelita's talents extend far beyond the baseball diamond. With music coursing through his veins, he has demonstrated an innate and extraordinary ability to connect with audiences through melodies and lyrics. From a very young age he demonstrated his talent by writing poetry and over the years taking singing lessons, knowing that one day this moment would come. In recent years, during his spare time, he has been preparing himself by composing with greats of Latin music, J Pro, Pipo, Antonio Barullo, EL Micha, Lenier y Guianko “Yanko”
Gomez and working with music producers of the stature of Gatillo, Motiff, Pututi just to name of few.
The year 2023 marked a pivotal moment in his life when he ventured into the artistic realm. In August of that same year, he unveiled his highly-anticipated debut single, "Tambor". This release was not just a song; it was a resounding announcement of his official transition from the world of Major League Baseball to the vibrant and ever-evolving world of music.
Candelita's presence is not confined to the world of baseball alone; he is a beloved figure whose charm, charisma, and undeniable talent have captured the hearts of fans far and wide. As he embarks on this new chapter in his life, there's no doubt that he will leave an indelible mark on the music industry, just as he did in the world of baseball. The music video for "Tambor" has already garnered immense attention, amassing more than two hundred thousand views on his official YouTube channel, a testament to his magnetic appeal and the resonance of his music with his growing fanbase. Candelita's journey is one of unwavering determination, versatility, and a relentless pursuit of his passions, making him a true inspiration both on and off the field.
GINA TORRES BIO
Gina Torres has spent the past thirty years establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the screen.
With her fan-favorite character of Jessica Pearson on USA Network’s hit original series “Suits,” Torres broke boundaries when, in 2019, she became the first Afro-Latina to create, star in and produce a TV series, “Pearson,” which saw Jessica take on the world of Chicago politics. The role was a life-changing one, earning Torres an ALMA Award, an Imagen Award (as well as multiple additional Imagen nominations), and the National Hispanic Media Coalition’s Award for Outstanding Performance in a Television Series and the Visionary Award from the LA Femme Film Festival. Included amongst Torres’s most notable television credits are her performances as the Russo-Cuban assassin Anna Espinosa on “Alias,” the shotgun-toting mercenary Zoe Washburn on Joss Whedon’s “Firefly” (whom she also played in his feature film Serenity) and the soul-eating Jasmine on Whedon’s “Angel.” Currently, Torres plays FBI Agent Linda Grant in FOX’s “Memory of a Killer” alongside Patrick Dempsey. Torres was also recently seen in FOX’s “911: Lone Star,” which wrapped its 5th and final season early 2025. In November 2022, Torres received the Actress Award for Television at the 2nd Annual Critics Choice Celebration of Latino Cinema & Television for her role on the series. Additional television credits include “The Catch,” “Hannibal,” “Revenge,” “Huge,” “The Shield,” “24,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Flash Forward,” “Gossip Girl,” “Boondocks,” and “The Vampire Diaries.”
On the film side, Torres starred as Darcy, a cutthroat fashion mogul, in Netflix’s The Perfect Find. The film follows Jenna (Gabrielle Union) as she returns to New York to resurrect her fashion career after a messy public breakup and is hired by Darcy (Gina). Torres is accustomed to playing influential women on screen and translates that responsibility into her personal life. A trailblazer in her own right, Torres speaks often on the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the media and uses her free time to mentor up and coming Latiné and Afro-Latiné talent. Torres is also heavily involved with charities and regularly donates proceeds to Feeding America and No Kid Hungry. Additionally, she is a board member and active supporter of Latinas Acting Up (LAU), an organization empowering Latina voices in entertainment, as well as a board member of Center Theatre Group (CTG), Los Angeles’ leading not-for-profit theatre company.
Torres most recently starred onstage in the Off-Broadway production of Pen Pals alongside Carmen Cusackin in early 2026. She also starred as Gertrude opposite Patrick Ball in Hamlet at the Mark Taper Forum in 2025.
TANAIRI SADE VAZQUEZ BIO
Tanairi Sade Vazquez is a multi-talented actress, dancer and singer whose vibrant performances have captivated audiences across television, film and Broadway. Her theatrical journey has seen her perform in acclaimed productions such as The Great Gatsby, Hamilton, On Your Feet, Gigi, Wonderland and West Side Story Revival 2009. In the realm of television, Tanairi has showcased her talent most recently in The Equalizer, Season 5. Her first big shot was a recurring role as Annie Valdez in Orange Is the New Black. She can also be seen in Let the Right One In (Showtime), A Luv Tale (BET Plus), Law and Order SVU (NBC), The Blacklist (NBC), The Deuce (MAX), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime), Fosse/Verdon (FX), and NBC’s Smash. Tanairi has also made her mark in film, appearing in Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story as a featured shark girl, Charita. Most recently, Tanairi starred in Nochebuena as Jennifer, which had its world premiere at the NYLFF and is now available on Prime Video. Tanairi won the Best Featured Actress award at the Georgia Latino Film Festival for her leading role performance as Jennifer in Nochebuena. She is grateful for the unconditional love and support from her family, friends and team at Take 3 Talent and Rebel Creative Group. Tanairi is committed to advocating for diversity and representation in the arts and is thrilled to be part of the BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB™ company on Broadway.
ABOUT BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB
Step into the heart of Cuba, beyond the glitz of the Tropicana, to a place where blazing trumpets and sizzling guitars set the dance floor on fire. Here, the sound of Havana is born—and one woman's remarkable journey begins.
Inspired by true events, the new Broadway musical BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB brings the 1997 GRAMMY® Award-winning album to thrilling life—and tells the story of the legends who lived it. A world-class Afro-Cuban band is joined by a sensational cast in this unforgettable tale of survival, second chances, and the extraordinary power of music.
The cast of BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB currently includes Tony Award winner Natalie Venetia Belcon (Omara), Rick Negron (Compay), Mel Semé (Ibrahim) Jainardo Batista Sterling (Rubén), Isa Antonetti (Young Omara), Da’Von T. Moody (Young Compay), Wesley Wray (Young Ibrahim), Jesús Pupo (Young Rubén), Renesito Avich (Eliades), Ashley De La Rosa (Young Haydee), Chris Myers (Juan de Marcos), José “Candelita” Iglesias (Narrator), Angélica Beliard, Adriel Flete, Joshua Gonzalez, Jacob Guzman, Ian Lassiter, Héctor Juan Maisonet, Ilda Mason, Marielys Molina, Sophia Ramos, Clinton Roane, Anthony Santos, and Tanairi Sade Vazquez.
BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB features a book by Tony Nominee Marco Ramirez (Drama Desk Award, The Royale), direction by Tony Nominee Saheem Ali (Fat Ham), choreography by Tony Award winners Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck (Illinoise, Steven Spielberg's West Side Story), creative consultation by David Yazbek, music supervision by Dean Sharenow, orchestrations, arrangements and music direction by Tony Award winner Marco Paguia, additional arrangements by Javier Diaz and David Oquendo, music consultation by Juan de Marcos.
BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB features scenery by Tony nominee Arnulfo Maldonado, costumes by Tony nominee Dede Ayite, lighting by Tony nominee Tyler Micoleau, sound by Tony Award winner Jonathan Deans, wigs, hair & make-up by J. Jared Janas, and casting by The TRC Company. Arabella Powell serves as the Production Stage Manager.
The “most intoxicating and rapturous show on Broadway” (Variety), BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB has won 5 Tony Awards including Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Natalie Venetia Belcon), Best Sound Design of a Musical (Jonathan Deans), Best Choreography (Patricia Delgado & Justin Peck), and Best Orchestrations (Marco Paguia).
A Special Tony Award was also awarded to the musicians who make up the band of BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB: Marco Paguia (Conductor/Piano, Music Director), David Oquendo (Associate Music Director, Guitar); Renesito Avich (Tres); Gustavo Schartz (Bass), Hery Paz (Woodwinds), Eddie Venegas (Trombone), Jesus Ricardo (Trumpet), Javier Díaz (Percussion), Mauricio Herrera (Percussion), Román Diaz (Percussion), and Leonardo Reyna (Piano).
The BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB Original Broadway Cast Recording received the 2026 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. Additional awards recognition includes 2 Chita Rivera Awards for Outstanding Choreography in a Broadway Show and Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway Show and the Actors’ Equity Association’s ACCA Award for Outstanding Broadway Chorus.
BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB™ is produced on Broadway by Orin Wolf, John Styles, Barbara Broccoli, Atlantic Theater Company, Luis Miranda, LaChanze and John Leguizamo with Executive Producer Allan Williams.