José “Candelita” Iglesias will change the baseball diamond for the lights of Broadway. The veteran Major League player will debut on August 27, 2026 in the hit musical Buena Vista Social Club, where he will play the Narrator during a special six-week season at the Schoenfeld Theater in New York.
With this step, Iglesias will become the first Latino MLB player to perform on Broadway, an achievement that unites his two great passions: sports and music.
Born in Cuba, the artist known as Candelita will join a production that celebrates Cuban history, culture and sounds alongside the Tony and Grammy Award-winning Afro-Cuban band that accompanies the show each night.
“It is an incredible privilege to be part of such a historic group,” said Iglesias. “Representing Buena Vista Social Club and doing it on Broadway is something deeply meaningful and truly special.”
Producer Orin Wolf highlighted the career of the Cuban, who has shone both in stadiums and in Latin music. “From the top of baseball’s major leagues to the top of the Latin Billboard charts, José has filled stadiums and captivated audiences around the world. Now we are delighted to welcome him to Broadway,” he said.
Director Saheem Ali also highlighted Iglesias’ charisma and connection to the story the musical tells. “From the moment we met José Iglesias, it was clear that he possessed a unique and authentic charisma,” he noted.
Iglesias debuted in MLB in 2011 with the Boston Red Sox and during his career he played for teams such as the Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels, Colorado Rockies, Miami Marlins, New York Mets and San Diego Padres.
But his talent was never limited to baseball. From a young age he wrote poetry and trained in singing, while developing a parallel musical career. In 2023 he released his first single, “Tambor”, officially marking his transition into music and consolidating his role as an artist.
Now, Candelita adds a new setting to her story. With Buena Vista Social Club, he will bring his energy, Cuban roots and artistic passion to one of the most iconic theaters in the world.
The musical is presented at the Schoenfeld Theatre, located on West 45th Street, and Iglesias’ participation will begin on Thursday, August 27, 2026 for a limited period of six weeks.
