The new Broadway musical adaptation of the popular album and documentary “Buena Vista Social Club” failed to live up to expectations, with critics finding it monotonous and underwhelming. The show’s attempt to incorporate dance and drama quickly becomes tedious, much like watching a two-hour version of a three-minute sequence.
The production tries to revive the music from the 1990s Cuban era without subtitles for Spanish-language songs, relying on lively dance choreography to compensate. However, this approach falls flat, leaving audiences looking for more than just a dynamic jam session.
A new book accompanying the show is also panned, drawing comparisons to another musical that involves older performers returning to their roots and being haunted by their younger selves. The ideal way to present “Buena Vista Social Club” would have been as a nightclub concert or revue without the new book.
Meanwhile, Hugh Jackman has launched a new company called “Together,” which aims to create small, intimate shows through collaborative ensemble work with shared credit and equal pay. English director Ian Rickson will be involved in this project.
In other news, a jukebox musical based on James Taylor’s songs is currently in development. A new show titled “Fire & Rain” will feature an original story rather than being biographical, and will be directed by David Cromer.
Actress Rachel Zegler will star as Evita in the upcoming London revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, marking her next big title role after a run on Broadway in “Romeo + Juliet.”
Source: https://www.amny.com/entertainment/broadway/review-buena-vista-social-clunk