Politixia
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — A Tony and Grammy award-winning musical inspired by the legendary Buena Vista Social Club is making a stop in the Triangle this week.
The production, now at DPAC in Durham, celebrates the groundbreaking Cuban musicians whose music captivated audiences around the world after the release of the acclaimed Buena Vista Social Club album in the 1990s. The album introduced many listeners to the sounds and culture of Cuba while telling the story of artists who were enjoying a late-career resurgence.
Patricia Delgado, a choreographer for the musical, said the creative team was drawn not only to the music but also to the story of the performers behind it.
“We were interested in the story behind these artists and how this album came to be made, especially because it was made by artists who were, let’s say, at the end of their careers,” Delgado said.
Delgado, a second-generation Cuban American from Miami, earned a Tony Award in 2025 for her work on the production, becoming the first Latina woman to win for Best Choreography.
She describes the music as a blend of influences from Cuba, the Caribbean and Africa that connects with audiences regardless of language.
“It’s world music,” Delgado said. “Even if you don’t speak Spanish, you understand the emotion behind these songs.”
For Delgado, working on the musical also offered a personal connection to her family’s heritage.
“I was able to imagine what it must have been like for my grandparents living in Cuba at that time,” she said. “When you understand other cultures, you understand yourself as well.”
Buena Vista Social Club is playing at DPAC through Sunday. Organizers say a limited number of tickets are still available.
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