usatoday
When Lin-Manuel Miranda required assistance with 'Buena Vista Social Club,' the Tony-winning musical he co-produces, the Broadway icon reached out to Bernie Williams. Williams, who spent 16 seasons with the New York Yankees and secured four World Series titles, was a center fielder, not a relief pitcher, but he gladly answered the call.
The five-time MLB All-Star, who began playing guitar around the same time he started playing baseball in his native Puerto Rico, told USA TODAY that he was delighted to participate. Miranda and his father, Luis, also a co-producer of 'Buena Vista,' invited Williams to play guitar in the social club's band, marking the Yankees great's Broadway debut.
'Do not threaten me with a good time!' Williams, 58, recalled telling the Mirandas. He will continue with 'Social Club' until Nov. 29; the show announced Friday, Nov. 6, that it will conclude its Broadway run on Jan. 17, 2027.
'It's been just this roller coaster, a wave of emotions and it's been amazing,' Williams continued. Jose Iglesias, who played parts of 13 seasons with the rival Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, is also in the show, making his Broadway debut as the narrator.
'Buena Vista Social Club' is set in Cuba and based on the true events of Afro-Cuban musicians reconnecting following the Cuban Revolution of the 1950s. The artists recorded the 1997 album 'Buena Vista Social Club,' which went on to win a Grammy. Unlike other Broadway productions, the band is onstage for the entire performance.
Williams is no stranger to performing in New York, with both his glove and guitar. The former World Series champion, whose No. 51 is retired alongside other Yankees greats like Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio, headlined Carnegie Hall in 2025. In 2009, three years after he left baseball, Williams received a Latin Grammy nomination for his album 'Moving Forward.' He has shared stages and studios with the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon and Jon Secada.
Williams, a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, says that his experiences 'performing under pressure' both on the field and onstage have helped 'tremendously' with his Broadway debut. He relates the moments of when he used to face off against a marquee pitcher in a pivotal part of the game to preparing to nail 'every single part' of a Broadway performance.
'That kind of pressure, to have the preparation to get there mentally, spiritually, physically, I definitely was able to take all of that into my preparation to play on Broadway,' Williams says. 'You try to get a reaction from the audience, an acknowledgment of love, whatever it is. You feed off of that energy and it's just amazing to feel that.'
There are personal connections between 'Buena Vista' and Williams as well. He recalls listening to many of the songs featured in the production with his late mother on the radio in Puerto Rico. 'With my mom, she was an educator and the whole week was really rough,' Williams says. 'Sundays, however, was her day to wind down and really relax. And the way that she did that was just putting the music (on the radio).'
Williams reveals that his brother Hiram, who is also a musician, recently saw the performance and 'couldn't stop crying.' 'It just brought both of us back to a simpler time and we were never really understanding or knowing what was going to be ahead for us,' Williams says. 'To be here playing that same music in one of the biggest stages in the world, it seems as surreal as it feels familiar.'
The music isn't Williams' only personal connection to the production. Miranda's grandfather and Williams grew up in the same town, Vega Alta, Puerto Rico. Miranda surprised Williams during a dress rehearsal for 'Buena Vista' with childhood photos of the baseball star from when he was a 13-year-old Little League player. '(Miranda) was showing everybody!' Williams recalls with a laugh. 'I was like, Hey, what are you doing?'
Key Analysis
Bernie Williams' transition from the baseball diamond to the Broadway stage is a testament to his versatility and passion for music. His journey from a renowned athlete to a Broadway performer highlights the transferable skills of performing under pressure and the importance of preparation. The production 'Buena Vista Social Club' not only showcases his musical talent but also connects him to his cultural roots and personal memories, adding depth to his performance.
Originally reported by usatoday.