Renowned former New York Yankees center fielder and classically trained guitarist Bernie Williams will join the band of the award-winning musical "Buena Vista Social Club" from October 22 through November 29, the production announced.
"I am excited about the opportunity to be part of Buena Vista Social Club because this music was part of my childhood," said the Puerto Rican native, who won four consecutive Gold Gloves (1997-2000) for his defense in center field.
"I remember my mother listening to it on Sunday afternoons, and it brings back wonderful memories of time with my family when I was a child. Having the opportunity now to perform that same music on Broadway, within this show, is truly a dream come true," said the former Yankee, who played his last game in October 2006.
During those six weeks, the 58-year-old former Bronx team star will share the stage with Mets player and singer José Iglesias (Havana, Cuba, 1990), known in the entertainment world as "Candelita."
In fact, Iglesias became the first Major League Baseball player to make his Broadway debut on August 27 and will remain in the show through November 15.
Iglesias, with the New York Mets since May 2024, plays the narrator of the musical, which has won five Tony Awards and a Special Tony for the band, which performs live at the Schoenfeld Theatre.
"Both Williams and Iglesias continue the celebration of Latin heritage, culture, and music that distinguishes the production, sharing the stage with the Tony and Grammy Award-winning Afro-Cuban band that ignites audiences every night at the Schoenfeld on Broadway," the production stated in the press release.
Williams played 16 years in the Major Leagues with the Yankees, receiving numerous accolades both athletic and from fans.
In 2015, the Yankees retired his number 51, permanently enshrining him among the most distinguished players in the franchise's history.
Williams' other great passion is music: he studied classical guitar from his adolescence in Puerto Rico at the Escuela Libre de Música while developing as an elite athlete.
Years later, he continued his education at the Manhattan School of Music in New York, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Music with a concentration in Jazz Performance in 2015.
Williams released his debut album, "The Journey Within," in 2003, followed by "Moving Forward" in 2009, which received a Latin Grammy nomination and included collaborations with well-known artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Jon Secada, and Dave Koz.
Meanwhile, "Buena Vista Social Club" also recently announced that television and film star Gina Torres ("Suits," "Firefly," "9-1-1: Lone Star") will join the musical as Omara Portuondo from October 13 through November 29.
