Fri May 30 12:20:00 UTC 2025: **Broadway Embraces Latin Rhythms: Two Musicals Vie for Tony Awards, Estefan Project on the Horizon**

New York, NY – Broadway is experiencing a surge of Latin-themed productions, with two musicals, “Buena Vista Social Club” and “Real Women Have Curves: The Musical,” earning Tony Award nominations this year. “Buena Vista Social Club,” a vibrant telling of the Cuban musicians who brought the Grammy-winning 1997 album to life, leads the pack with an impressive 10 nominations, including Best Musical and Best Direction. The musicians in the show will also be honored with a Special Tony Award. “Real Women Have Curves: The Musical,” based on the play by Josefina López and the subsequent HBO movie, garnered nods for Best Original Score (by Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez) and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role (Justina Machado). The musical follows an 18-year-old daughter of immigrant parents who juggles aspirations with family expectations.

Adding to the excitement, Gloria Estefan and her daughter, Emily Estefan, are currently developing “BASURA,” a musical inspired by the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay, who transform trash into instruments.

Broadway’s history with Latin themes is rich, with classics like “West Side Story,” “Evita,” and recent hits like “In the Heights.” While some productions, such as “The Capeman” and “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,” experienced shorter runs, Latin stars have graced many Broadway stages over the years.

The 78th Tony Awards, set for June 8th at Radio City Music Hall, will celebrate these productions and the enduring influence of Latin music and culture on Broadway.

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