“Buena Vista Social Club” could refer to several different things: a group of veteran Cuban musicians brought together in 1996 to celebrate Havana’s pre-revolutionary musical scene and styles, the group’s popular studio album, the 1999 documentary about creating the album and performing live at Carnegie Hall, and now a new Broadway musical (produced Off-Broadway last season by the Atlantic Theater Company) that attempts to revel in the music while adding a heavy dose of dance and attempting to craft a dramatic storyline.
The Spanish-language songs (many of which appear on the album and in the film) are performed without subtitles as the musicians rehearse in the recording studio, perform at clubs, or reminisce about the old days. The lively dance choreography (by Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck) builds upon the excitement and pristine sound quality of the music, but the show (directed by Saheem Ali) quickly becomes monotonous and underwhelming (at least for those who are looking for more than a dynamic jam session). It is not unlike watching the three-minute “Havana” sequence in “Guys and Dolls” for two straight hours.
The book (by Marco Ramirez), which tries to combine the making of the album with flashbacks to the musicians’ younger days, is thin and cheesy. It resembles a makeshift variation on the Sondheim musical “Follies,” which also involves older performers returning to their roots and being haunted by their younger selves (who are portrayed by separate performers).
The ideal way to present “Buena Vista Social Club” would have been as a nightclub concert or a revue that discarded the new book altogether.
Hugh Jackman co-launches enterprise to produce smaller shows
Hugh Jackman may be the next big Broadway producer. Jackman and the prolific mega-producer Sonia Friedman have launched “Together,” a new company intended to create small, intimate, and accessible shows built through collaborative ensemble work, with shared credit and equal pay. According to a press release, “by stripping the fully rehearsed productions down to their essentials, with minimal décor, ‘Together’ aims to celebrate the raw power of storytelling — getting back to what often makes theater so compelling in the first place.” English director Ian Rickson (“Jerusalem”) will also be involved.
“Buena Vista Social Club” runs at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. For more info visit buenavistamusical.com.
James Taylor musical in the works
A jukebox musical based on the songs of the introspective singer-songwriter and guitarist James Taylor is currently in development, as reported by Deadline. Tentatively titled “Fire & Rain” after his 1970 hit, it will be directed by David Cromer (“The Band’s Visit,” “Good Night, and Good Luck”) and have a book by actor and playwright Tracy Letts (“August: Osage County”). The musical will have an original story rather than be biographical. “You’ve Got a Friend,” which Taylor covered in a hit 1971 recording, was previously featured in the Carole King musical “Beautiful.”
Rachel Zegler to play Evita in London
Rachel Zegler, who just completed a run on Broadway in “Romeo + Juliet” and is now promoting the new film remake of “Snow White,” is set to take on another big title role: Evita. She will lead a London revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical this summer, which will be directed by Jamie Lloyd, who helmed the hit Broadway revival of Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Boulevard.” Interestingly, Ariana DeBose, who appeared with Zegler in the film remake of “West Side Story,” was originally expected to play Evita but had to bow out due to scheduling difficulties.
