Buena Vista Social Club Will Open at Straz Center
The national tour arrives in Tampa on October 6, 2026, featuring former Tampa City Ballet dancer Jhon Destrade.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Dance
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The Buena Vista Social Club national tour will begin its run at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts on October 6, 2026. The production, which chronicles the history of Cuban music, features former Tampa City Ballet principal Jhon Destrade in the cast.
Why it matters
The show highlights the legacy of four influential musicians and the iconic 1930s nightclub that inspired a global revival of Cuban music in the 1990s. Bringing the Broadway-caliber production to Tampa showcases the intersection of local talent and international cultural history.
Tickets for the performance start at $68.50 per seat. The musical depicts the life stories of 4 legendary Cuban musicians whose careers are central to the production.
The players
Jhon Destrade
He is a former principal dancer with Tampa City Ballet who serves as a cast member for the 2026-27 national tour.
Omara Portuondo
She is a legendary Cuban singer whose career and life are depicted as a central narrative in the musical.
Straz Center for the Performing Arts
It is the major performing arts venue in Tampa that is hosting the musical engagement.
The details
The production chronicles the lives of Omara Portuondo, Ibrahim Ferrer, Ruben Gonzalez, and Compay Segundo through a fusion of song and dance. Jhon Destrade, who spent the 2025-26 season with the Tampa City Ballet, secured his role in the 2026-27 national tour cast after submitting an audition video.
Timeline
The original nightclub was founded in the 1930s.
The ensemble was founded and released its debut album in the 1990s.
The musical moved to Broadway in 2025.
The production runs at the Straz Center from Oct. 6 to Oct. 11, 2026.
Omara Portuondo will turn 96 on Oct. 29, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The production follows the model established by its 2025 Broadway debut, expanding to regional markets via this national tour. This shift signals a broader trend of successful Broadway musicals leveraging local theater networks to maintain commercial momentum.
The production will be available at the Straz Center from October 6 through October 11, 2026. Interested attendees can purchase tickets starting at $68.50 to see the performance in person.
The takeaway
The arrival of this production in Tampa provides residents an opportunity to experience a high-profile Broadway musical that honors Cuban musical heritage. Audiences should book early to secure seats for this limited six-day engagement.
Further reading
Learn more about local performance art at Tampa Dance.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Creative Loafing: Tampa Bay.
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