Date: April 27th @ 11 AM
Location: The Museum of Broadway, 145 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036
R.Evolución Latina partners with The Museum of Broadway for a special panel celebrating the journey of Buena Vista Social Club—from its Cuban roots and rich musical heritage to the Broadway stage
This conversation will highlight the cultural impact of this legendary music, its influence on generations of artists, and the significance of bringing these rhythms and stories to Broadway. Featuring special guests from the production, we’ll explore the power of Latin music, the storytelling behind the show, and the representation of our heritage on one of the world’s biggest stages.
Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the soul of Buena Vista Social Club and the incredible artists bringing it to life!
MEET THE ARTISTS
LEONARDO REYNA Born in Havana in 1985, Leonardo is a celebrated pianist, composer, and educator whose deep connection to Cuban music is rooted in his family. His grandfather, Rodolfo Reyna, was a violinist and arranger with the Orquesta Sensación, and his mother, a pianist, first introduced him to the piano. Leonardo’s training spans Latin America and Europe, including mentorship under the lineage of legendary pianist Claudio Arrau. He blends his Cuban heritage with classical mastery, winning over 15 international awards and composing music for films in Europe. His latest album, The Berlin Concert, fuses classical piano with early Cuban compositions, featuring Schumann’s “Carnaval” and Lecuona’s “Afro-Cuban Dances.” He recently recorded Chopin’s 24 Preludes and Carlos Fariñas’ “7 Sones Sencillos” at the iconic Emil Berliner Studios, continuing his dedication to both classical and Cuban traditions.
ILDA MASON was born and raised in Panamá where she began her acting career with productions such as Peter Pan (Peter Pan), The Beauty and the Beast, A Chorus Line (Bebe) and Hello Dolly (Minnie) among others. She was a professional dancer on Panamá’s “Dancing with the Stars” (Season 2 Champion). She made her feature film debut in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (Luz) and her Broadway debut with the same show, directed by Ivo Van Hove. TV/Film credits include appearances in “The Equalizer” (CBS) and the upcoming feature musical film Kiss of the Spider Woman. Some of her favorite theater credits are Evita (A.R.T., Shakespeare Theater Company), Come Fall in Love (The Old Globe Theater), On Your Feet! (National tour), West Side Story (Paper Mill Playhouse, Signature Theatre), Cinderella (National tour), and Legally Blonde (China tour). She’s filled with gratitude for the opportunity of telling stories on stage and onscreen, especially Latine ones like BVSC. You can follow Ilda on socials at www.ildamason.com and @ildamason on Instagram.
CARLOS GONZALEZ: Born and raised in Bayamo, Cuba, Carlos Gonzalez immigrated to the U.S. after his mother won the visa lottery. He earned a BFA in Acting from Montclair State University before launching a dynamic career spanning Broadway, film, and international productions. His theater credits include the original Broadway casts of On Your Feet and Ivo Van Hove’s West Side Story, as well as the national tour of In the Heights and the Off-Broadway sensation FUERZA BRUTA. On screen, he appears in In the Heights, Tick, Tick…Boom!, and Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. Carlos has also made a lasting impact in Cuba’s theater scene, serving on the creative teams of Carmen La Cubana and RENT, the country’s first Broadway production in over 50 years—featured in HBO’s Revolution Rent. He leads artist-focused cultural trips to Cuba under Travel the Artist Way. Currently, Carlos is honored to be part of Broadway’s Buena Vista Social Club, blending his Cuban heritage with his passion for performance. As an associate choreographer to Justin Peck and Patricia Delgado as well as part of the cast as understudy/swing, he helps bring this iconic music to life on stage.
DA’VON T. MOODY is making his Broadway Debut with BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB but has also had the pleasure of being a part of many other projects. National Tour: MJ the Musical (Alejandro). Off-Broadway: Man of No Importance. Regional credits include: The Outsiders (Dallas Winston) at La Jolla Playhouse, RENT (Benny) at the Signature Theatre, Gun & Powder (World Premiere), Ain’t Misbehavin’. Olney Theatre: A.D. 16- World Premier (Simeon); Ford’s Theatre: The Wiz, Christmas Carol, Amazing Grace (Mr. Tyler); Constellation Theatre: Aida! (Mereb); ArtsCentric: Hair (Berger) and Dreamgirls (C.C. White). Film: Once Again for the First Time. You can find him on IG @d_moo_d to see more.
IOANA ALFONSO is a multifaceted artist with an extensive career as a performer, director, choreographer, and producer. She has performed on Broadway in the original companies of Wicked, 9 to 5, and the recent revival of Bob Fosse’s Dancin’. She played the role of “Slim” in Twyla Tharp’s Come Fly Away both nationally and internationally, and has worked with icons like Madonna, Joel Grey, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Vereen to name a few. Film and television credits include The Binge, Law and Order: SVU, Orange is the New Black, Nurse Jackie, Across the Universe, etc. Select credits as Associate Director include the Broadway productions American Son, TopDog/Underdog, Purlie Victorious, and most recently Othello starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, as well as NBC’s Hairspray Live! and The Wiz Live! for NBC. As choreographer, she recently created a solo for Tiler Peck in collaboration with Black Thought (The Roots) for the gala opening of the Perelman Arts Center. Ioana is a proud co-producer of Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway and is currently working on the pre-Broadway workshop of Soul Train as Associate Director. She is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and is passionate about arts education as a vehicle for social change, often working with organizations like Arts Ignite and R.Evolución Latina.
ANGÉLICA BELIARD (Ensemble) is honored to be returning to Broadway with Buena Vista Social Club after a beautiful run downtown at the Atlantic Theater Company. Previous Credits include Broadway: Summer, On Your Feet!; Regional: In The Heights, West Side Story (The Muny); Oliver as Bet, The Life! (Encores!); Pipeline (Gallery Players); Kiss My Aztec (Hartford Stages, La Jolla Playhouse, Berkeley Rep); Upcoming Film: Kiss of the Spiderwoman; Short Film: Every Right. Thank you CTG!; Endless gratitude to my dear friends who have become pillars in my life and career.