The band is the point: nine musicians on tres, trumpet, laúd and percussion playing the son and bolero repertoire live for the whole show rather than from a pit. The choreography is rooted in actual Cuban social dance, and the story moves between 1950s Havana and the 1996 sessions that made the record a global phenomenon. If you have played that album on repeat without knowing whose voices you were hearing, the matinee will fix that permanently.
What to expect
The Schoenfeld is a mid-size house and the sound design puts the band forward, so it plays closer to a concert than a standard book musical. Expect two acts with an intermission, sustained live music, and dance numbers that draw applause mid-scene. The audience often stays standing at the end.
Good to know
- The Schoenfeld sits on 45th Street between Broadway and Eighth, near Times Square-42nd Street
- Much of the show is sung in Spanish with English surtitles and staging that carries the story
- Runs about two and a half hours with an intermission
- Great pick for a mixed-age group; the music does the heavy lifting
- The final number regularly gets the house on its feet - stay for it
- Restaurant Row on 46th Street is a block away for a pre-show meal
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Common questions
Is it in Spanish?
Much of the singing is in Spanish, with English text and staging that keep the story clear throughout.
Is the band live?
Yes - a full Cuban ensemble plays onstage for the entire performance.
How long is it?
About two and a half hours including one intermission.
