Tony Nominee Natalie Belcon Discusses Her Role in 'Buena Vista Social Club' Musical

Tony Nomination and "Buena Vista Social Club"

• 🎭 Natalie Venetia Belcon expresses her excitement and disbelief over her first Tony nomination for her role in the Broadway musical "Buena Vista Social Club."
• 🏆 The musical has received a remarkable 10 nominations at the Tony Awards, including a nod for Best Musical.

Portraying Omara Portuondo

• 🎤 Belcon shares her approach to playing the fictionalized version of famed Cuban singer Omara Portuondo.
• 🎶 Her preparation involved extensive listening to the music, watching documentaries repeatedly, and meditating with the music.
• 💡 She found the process of discovering nuances about the character during rehearsals to be a continuous surprise, influenced by the script and interactions with other actors.

Personal Connection to the Music

• ❤️ Belcon reveals a deep personal connection to the "Buena Vista Social Club" music, introduced by her musician parents.
• 🎹 Her mother, a classical pianist, and her father, a jazz trumpeter, both deeply appreciated the music.
• 🌟 The nomination evokes powerful memories of her parents and the introduction to this iconic music, making the experience a profound gift.

Universal Appeal of the Musical

• 🌍 The show resonates with diverse audiences because its stories are universally relatable.
• 🦋 Themes of choices, the butterfly effect, lost love, and second chances are explored, offering a message of hope and course correction.
• 🎵 The universal language of music is a key factor in the show's broad appeal.