Buena Vista Social Club
Fort Lauderdale
Buena Vista Social Club at the Broward Center — Fort Lauderdale, October 2026
The Tony-nominated and Grammy-winning Broadway musical Buena Vista Social Club arrives at the Au-Rene Theater inside the Broward Center for the Performing Arts from October 13 through 18, 2026. This national touring production brings the story of Cuba's legendary musicians to one of South Florida's most beloved cultural venues, offering eight performances across a single electrifying week. With a book by Marco Ramirez and direction by Saheem Ali, the show earned ten Tony nominations during its celebrated Broadway run at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre and won a Special Tony Award honoring its extraordinary company of live musicians who perform the iconic Afro-Cuban repertoire on stage every night. The production also took home a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, cementing its place among the most acclaimed new musicals of the decade.
The Broward Center stands as Fort Lauderdale's premier destination for touring Broadway, and few shows feel more at home in South Florida than this one. The musical traces the journey of young Havana musicians who forged an unforgettable sound in the 1950s, saw their careers scattered by the Cuban Revolution, and reunited four decades later for a recording session that captivated the world. The original 1997 Buena Vista Social Club album, produced by Ry Cooder and organized by Juan de Marcos González at Havana's legendary EGREM Studios, sold over eight million copies worldwide and won a Grammy Award. That album also inspired Wim Wenders' acclaimed 1999 documentary film, which brought the musicians' extraordinary story to an even wider global audience. Choreography by Patricia Delgado, a former principal dancer with Miami City Ballet, and Justin Peck of New York City Ballet infuses every scene with movement that honors Cuba's rich dance traditions from son and bolero to mambo and cha-cha-chá.
The Au-Rene Theater's 2,700-seat house provides an intimate yet grand setting for this deeply rhythmic production, and Fort Lauderdale audiences have a special connection to this story. South Florida's vibrant Cuban-American community and deep Caribbean cultural roots make this engagement one of the most meaningful stops on the entire national tour. The Broward Center campus sits along the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale, surrounded by the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District with easy access to waterfront dining, scenic river walks, gallery hopping, and nearby hotels — making it simple to build a full evening or weekend around the show. Parking is available on-site, and the venue is a short ride from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport for visitors traveling from across the region.
Whether you are discovering the Buena Vista Social Club story for the first time or revisiting the music that inspired a global phenomenon, this production delivers live Afro-Cuban rhythms, powerful drama, and breathtaking dance on a scale rarely seen on a touring stage. Secure your seats through BigStub, a trusted third-party ticket resale marketplace with over 20 years of experience, verified sellers, no hidden fees, and a buyer guarantee backed by dedicated customer service. With South Florida's deep cultural ties to Cuba and the Caribbean, this Fort Lauderdale engagement promises to be one of the most electric stops on the tour.
The Buena Vista Social Club Story — From Havana to Fort Lauderdale
The Buena Vista Social Club musical tells one of the most remarkable stories in modern music history. In the 1950s, Havana was the beating heart of a musical revolution — young Cuban artists blended African rhythms with Spanish melodies, jazz harmonies, and the pulse of Caribbean nightlife to create genres like son, bolero, and mambo that would influence musicians around the world. The neighborhood of Buena Vista, with its modest social club, became a gathering place where these artists honed their craft and performed for local audiences who danced late into tropical evenings. The musical captures this golden era through vibrant staging and a live band that plays the authentic Afro-Cuban repertoire audiences fell in love with decades ago.
When Fidel Castro's revolution swept Cuba in 1959, the music scene was upended overnight. Nightclubs closed, many musicians lost their livelihoods, and the sounds that had defined a generation faded from public life. The musical dramatizes these wrenching changes through the eyes of fictional characters inspired by the real musicians who lived through the upheaval. For nearly forty years, the world forgot about Cuba's golden age of music — until producer Ry Cooder and Cuban musicologist Juan de Marcos González traveled to Havana in 1996 and brought together a group of elderly musicians at EGREM Studios to record what would become one of the best-selling world music albums of all time.
The Broadway adaptation, which played at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, transformed this remarkable true story into a full theatrical experience. Marco Ramirez's book weaves together romance, revolution, and reunion across five decades. Director Saheem Ali brings a cinematic sweep to the staging, while creative consultant David Yazbek helped shape the musical's dramatic structure. The production's ten Tony nominations in 2025 — the most of any show that season alongside a tie — reflected the critical consensus that this was a groundbreaking work of musical theater that honored its source material while creating something entirely new for the stage.
Fort Lauderdale's engagement at the Broward Center places this production in the heart of a region with deep personal ties to the story being told. South Florida is home to the largest Cuban-American population in the United States, and many families in Broward County trace their roots directly to the island's cultural traditions. Seeing the Buena Vista Social Club musical in this context adds a layer of emotional resonance that few other tour stops can match. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts has hosted the biggest Broadway national tours for over three decades, and its Au-Rene Theater is one of the finest performance spaces in the Southeast.
The national tour launches in September 2026 from Buffalo, New York, and the Fort Lauderdale dates of October 13 through 18 place this stop early in the tour's journey — meaning audiences will experience a fresh, energized cast delivering performances still charged with opening-run excitement. Other South Florida performances include a run at the Ziff Opera House at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami the week before, giving the region two consecutive weeks of Buena Vista Social Club performances at two of its finest venues.
How to Buy Buena Vista Social Club Fort Lauderdale Tickets
Where can I buy Buena Vista Social Club tickets for the Broward Center?
Tickets may be available through the Broward Center box office and authorized primary sellers. You can also check the official Buena Vista Social Club musical website for links to primary ticketing partners. For verified resale tickets, BigStub is a trusted third-party marketplace with no hidden fees and a buyer guarantee.
When does Buena Vista Social Club play Fort Lauderdale?
The show runs October 13 through 18, 2026 at the Au-Rene Theater inside the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Eight performances are scheduled across the week, including matinee and evening shows on the final Saturday and Sunday. Check the Broward Center website for the full performance schedule and show times.
What should I know about the Broward Center for the Performing Arts?
Located at 201 SW Fifth Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale, the Broward Center is one of the top-performing arts venues in the Southeast United States. The Au-Rene Theater seats approximately 2,700 and offers excellent sightlines throughout the house. On-site parking is available in the adjacent garage, and the venue is easily accessible from I-95 and I-595. The surrounding Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District offers waterfront restaurants and cultural attractions within walking distance.
Are resale tickets for Buena Vista Social Club legitimate?
Yes, when purchased through a reputable resale marketplace. BigStub verifies all sellers on its platform and backs every transaction with a buyer guarantee. With over 20 years in the industry and the highest Trustpilot rating among ticket resellers, BigStub provides a safe and transparent way to purchase tickets when primary sources are sold out or when you need specific seating options.
What if I need to resell my Buena Vista Social Club tickets?
If your plans change, resale marketplaces allow you to list your tickets for other fans to purchase. Check the terms on your original ticket purchase for any transfer or resale restrictions, and list them on a verified platform to ensure a smooth transaction for both buyer and seller.
Buena Vista Social Club Fort Lauderdale — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Buena Vista Social Club musical about?
The musical tells the true story of Cuban musicians who created a legendary sound in 1950s Havana, lost their careers during the Cuban Revolution, and reunited forty years later for a historic recording session. It features live Afro-Cuban music, original choreography, and a multigenerational narrative of love, loss, and rediscovery.
When does Buena Vista Social Club play the Broward Center?
The production runs October 13 through 18, 2026 at the Au-Rene Theater inside the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale. Eight performances are scheduled, including matinee and evening options on the final weekend.
How long is the Buena Vista Social Club musical?
The Broadway production runs approximately two hours and thirty minutes including intermission. Running times for the national tour may vary slightly, so check the Broward Center website closer to the performance dates for the most accurate schedule.
Is Buena Vista Social Club appropriate for children?
The show is generally suitable for a wide range of ages, though it deals with themes of political upheaval, separation, and adult relationships. Young audience members who enjoy live music and dance are likely to be captivated by the production. Check the Broward Center or the official tour website for any specific age recommendations.
What kind of music is performed in the show?
The production features live performances of traditional Cuban genres including son, bolero, mambo, cha-cha-cha, and guaguanco. A full band performs on stage throughout the show, creating an immersive concert-like atmosphere within the theatrical narrative.
Did Buena Vista Social Club win any Tony Awards?
The production received ten Tony Award nominations in 2025, tying for the most of any show that season. It won a Special Tony Award recognizing its company of live musicians. The cast album also won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
Who wrote and directed the Buena Vista Social Club musical?
The book is by Marco Ramirez, with direction by Saheem Ali. Choreography is by Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck. Creative consultants include David Yazbek, Juan de Marcos Gonzalez, and Nick Gold, who helped shape the show's authentic musical identity.
Where is the Broward Center located?
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 SW Fifth Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It sits along the New River in the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District, with on-site parking, nearby restaurants, and easy highway access from I-95 and I-595.
Can I get dinner near the Broward Center before the show?
The Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District surrounding the Broward Center offers numerous dining options within walking distance. Waterfront restaurants line the New River, and Las Olas Boulevard is a short drive away with additional upscale dining, shops, and nightlife.
What is the seating capacity of the Au-Rene Theater?
The Au-Rene Theater seats approximately 2,700 guests and is the largest performance space at the Broward Center. The theater offers excellent acoustics and sightlines, making it well-suited for large-scale Broadway touring productions with live orchestral accompaniment.
Is parking available at the Broward Center?
Yes, the Broward Center has an adjacent parking garage that is open for all performances. Rates vary by event. Rideshare drop-off areas are also available near the main entrance, and the venue is accessible via public transit on Broward County Transit routes.
Are there other Buena Vista Social Club tour dates in South Florida?
In addition to the Fort Lauderdale engagement at the Broward Center, the national tour also performs at the Ziff Opera House at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami from September 29 through October 4, 2026. The two South Florida stops offer back-to-back weeks of performances in the region.