The Major League Baseball player and Latin pop star will perform in the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical for six weeks only starting in August.
Bienvenidos a Broadway! José Iglesias, also known as Candelita, will make his Broadway debut in Buena Vista Social Club this summer, playing the Narrator for six weeks only beginning August 27.
The Cuban-born Iglesias has played baseball with teams including the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels, Colorado Rockies, New York Mets and San Diego Padres. As a recording artist, he performs as Candelita and is best known for the song “OMG.”
He now becomes part of the story of one of Cuba’s most influential bands. The Buena Vista Social Club musical is named for that band and its landmark Grammy-winning album, telling a fictionalized story of the artists who, after the Cuban Revolution turned their budding careers upside down, reunited decades later to revive a bygone era of Cuban music.
Buena Vista Social Club won five Tony Awards in 2025, when it began its acclaimed run at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Learn more about the show.
“It is an incredible privilege to be part of such a historic band. Anyone who truly knows Cuba understands the journey we have endured, so for me, this is a dream come true. To represent Buena Vista Social Club — and to do it on Broadway — is something deeply meaningful and truly special. This musical is unique, powerful, and unlike anything else,” said Iglesias in a statement. “It is also overwhelming in the best possible way because I will be the first Latino MLB player ever to perform on Broadway.”
“It’s rare that someone conquers one of the world’s biggest stages before ever stepping onto ours. From the pinnacle of Major League Baseball to the top of the Latin Billboard charts, José has filled stadiums and captivated audiences around the world. Now, we’re thrilled to welcome him to Broadway and into the Buena Vista community,” said producer Orin Wolf in a statement.
“One of the joys of creating theatre is discovering talent in unexpected places. From the moment we met José Iglesias, it was clear that he brought a charisma that was unique and authentic, said the show’s director, Saheem Ali, in a statement. “And he’s proving to us that extraordinary performers often come from the most surprising backgrounds. I look forward to audiences experiencing how deeply his personal affinity for Buena’s Vista’s Cuban heritage, and his love for the music, shines through. Welcome José!”
Get Buena Vista Social Club tickets now.
Photo credit: José “Candelita” Iglesias. (Photo courtesy of production)
