Cuban Ex-MLB Star José "Candelita" Iglesias to Make Broadway Debut in "Buena Vista Social Club"

August 12, 2026

Cuban-born infielder José Iglesias, known to fans by his musical stage name "Candelita," will make his Broadway debut this month as the Narrator in "Buena Vista Social Club," the Tony-winning musical inspired by the legendary Cuban music ensemble. Iglesias joins the production for a six-week engagement beginning August 27, 2026, at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in New York.

The 36-year-old, born in Havana on January 5, 1990, played 13 seasons in Major League Baseball after leaving Cuba as a teenager and signing with the Boston Red Sox. He went on to suit up for eight big-league clubs, finished second in the 2013 American League Rookie of the Year voting, and earned an All-Star selection during a career defined by his defensive skill at shortstop. He last played in 2025 with the San Diego Padres.

"To make that debut in New York City, one of my favorite cities in the world, makes this opportunity even more extraordinary," Iglesias said of the role. Production representatives have noted that his casting makes him the first Latino Major League Baseball player to perform on Broadway.

Off the field, Iglesias has built a parallel music career under the "Candelita" name, releasing several singles in recent years, including "OMG," which reached No. 1 on iTunes' Latin pop chart in 2024. His move to the stage adds a new chapter to a career that began on the sandlots of Havana and has now reached one of the world's most famous theater districts.