José Iglesias, a 13-year veteran of Major League Baseball and Latin pop artist known as “Candelita,” will make history as the first Latino MLB player to appear on Broadway. Starting August 27, 2026, Iglesias will join the cast of the musical Buena Vista Social Club in the role of the Narrator for a six-week engagement at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in New York, N.Y., according to reports from MLB.com and BroadwayWorld.
Bridging Sports and Stage
Iglesias, who is 36 years old, has spent over a decade in professional baseball. His career began in 2011 with the Boston Red Sox, and he later played for the Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels, Colorado Rockies, New York Mets, and San Diego Padres. A former All-Star, he finished second in the 2013 Rookie of the Year voting. His most recent Major League experience was in 2025 with the Padres, where he appeared in 112 games playing as a designated hitter, left fielder, and at second, third, and shortstop.
About Buena Vista Social Club
The musical is inspired by the real-life 1997 Grammy-winning album of the same name, which was recorded in 1996 over seven days. Set in Havana, Cuba, the production chronicles four musicians from the 1950s through the 1990s, exploring their rise to prominence and the impact of communism on their careers. The show features dialogue in English, while the songs are performed entirely in Spanish.
The production opened on March 19, 2025, after beginning performances on February 21. It was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and won five, including honors for choreography, sound design, orchestrations, and featured actress in a musical, as well as a special honor for its live musicians. The production team is led by producers including Orin Wolf, Barbara Broccoli, and John Leguizamo, with Saheem Ali serving as director.
Personal Connection and Preparation
Born in Havana and having played for the Cuban national baseball team, Iglesias described the role as a dream come true.
He noted that he grew up listening to the music of the historic band and that his father was a big fan. In a statement, Iglesias said, Anyone who truly knows Cuba understands the journey we have endured, so for me, this is a dream come true.
Despite his musical background, Iglesias admitted that theater is a whole different animal
compared to performing his own music live. He has since sought out coaches to help him prepare for the role. The transition comes at a time when Iglesias is not currently signed to an MLB team, marking the first time in 29 years that he will not be playing baseball during the late August period.
Production Details
The Buena Vista Social Club production features a wide array of creative contributors:
- Book: Marco Ramirez
- Scenic Design: Arnulfo Maldonado
- Costume Design: Dede Ayite
- Lighting Design: Tyler Micoleau
- Sound Design: Jonathan Deans
- Wig, Hair, and Makeup: J. Jared Janas
- Music Direction/Orchestrations: Marco Paguia
Worth a look
