José Iglesias is headed to Broadway. The MLB veteran and Latin pop singer, who records as Candelita, will join the musical Buena Vista Social Club as The Narrator from Aug. 27 to Oct. 4 for a six-week run. In doing so, he will become the first Latin Major League Baseball player to perform on Broadway.
Born in Cuba, Iglesias seems like a natural fit for the award-winning production, which celebrates Cuban heritage and the legendary band of the same name, brought to life Off-Broadway in 2023 before debuting at the Schoenfeld Theatre in 2025. Inspired by true events and the Grammy-winning 1997 album by Havana’s legendary Afro-Cuban band Buena Vista Social Club, the musical has become one of Broadway’s most celebrated productions, earning five Tony Awards and the 2026 Grammy for best musical theater album.
“It is an incredible privilege to be part of such a historic band,” said Iglesias in a statement. “Anyone who truly knows Cuba understands the journey we have endured, so for me, this is a dream come true. To represent Buena Vista Social Club — and to do it on Broadway — is something deeply meaningful and truly special. This musical is unique, powerful and unlike anything else.”
Iglesias added, “On a personal level, it is a tremendous blessing to be part of this production. It is also overwhelming in the best possible way because I will be the first Latino MLB player ever to perform on Broadway. To make that debut in New York City, one of my favorite cities in the world, makes this opportunity even more extraordinary.”
“It’s rare that someone conquers one of the world’s biggest stages before ever stepping onto ours,” said Orin Wolf, producer of the renowned musical. “From the pinnacle of Major League Baseball to the top of the Latin Billboard charts, José has filled stadiums and captivated audiences around the world. Now, we’re thrilled to welcome him to Broadway and into the Buena Vista community.”
Iglesias — who played for the San Diego Padres, the New York Mets, the Boston Red Sox and more — debuted at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Latin Digital Song Sales with his debut single, “OMG,” in 2024. According to Luminate, the single sold a little more than 1,000 downloads in the United States during the June 29-July 4, 2026, tracking week.
“One of the joys of creating theater is discovering talent in unexpected places,” said director Saheem Ali. “From the moment we met José Iglesias, it was clear that he brought a charisma that was unique and authentic, and he’s proving to us that extraordinary performers often come from the most surprising backgrounds.”
