Jainardo Batista Sterling
Biography
JAINARDO BATISTA STERLING (Rubén) Puerto Rican singer and percussionist Jainardo Batista comes from a family with a long tradition in music and theater in Puerto Rico. As a Jazz Ambassador of Jazz at Lincoln Center, he has toured Central and Northwest Africa as well as South America and the Caribbean. Additionally, he has performed in the Jerusalem Jazz Festival with Roman Diaz and Grupo Agolona; Essaouira Gnawa Festival (Morocco) with Colette Michaan’s Querencia; and Grammy-nominated Raices Haberas at New York’s Town Hall. Jainardo maintains an active performance schedule in NYC.
Credits
Buena Vista Social Club
Related Cast Members
Carlos Gonzalez
Currently in: Buena Vista Social Club
Carlos E. Gonzalez. Associate Choreographer / Swing / Understudy Juan de Marcos, Young Compay & Young Rubén / Dance Captain. Carlos was born and raised in Bayamo, Cuba. He emigrated after his mother won the United States visa lottery and went on to graduate from Montclair State University with a BFA in Acting. After graduation, Carlos performed in several shows, including the national tour of In the Heights and the Off-Broadway sensation Fuerza Bruta. On Broadway, he was part of the workshops and original casts of On Your Feet, and the Ivo Van Hove revival of West Side Story. Other credits include the film versions of In the Heights, Tick…Tick…Boom! and Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. Carlos’ relationship to the performing arts has continued to deepen in Cuba as well. He returned to Cuba in a creative role for the productions of Carmen La Cubana and Rent—which was the country’s first Broadway musical produced by an American company in more than 50 years and is featured in the documentary Revolution Rent on HBO. He has also begun leading trips to Cuba with the purpose of connecting and enriching artists, under the name @TravelTheArtistWay. Being part of the BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB™ production is a dream come true for Carlos, especially as it unites his roots in hearing these songs in the countryside of Cuba and getting to collaborate on the choreography as the associate to Justin Peck and Patricia Delgado. To step onto the Broadway stage to the words of these history-making songs in Spanish, representing his culture and homeland, will be an honor. Carlos is grateful to his husband for supporting him in doing this show and would like to dedicate this performance to his daughter Marina as she begins her journey in this world, and to the many creative artists who still find ways to create in Cuba today.
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Anthony Santos
Currently in: Buena Vista Social Club
Born in New York City, Anthony Santos began his training in dance, acting, and singing at Rosie’s Theatre Kids under the direction of Lori Klinger, where he studied from 2005 to 2013. During this time, he also trained at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 2009 to 2013. His summer intensives included Joffrey Ballet, Jacob’s Pillow, and Alonzo King LINES Ballet, all on full merit scholarships. Anthony graduated with a BFA from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts under the direction of Susan Jaffe. He joined the Dance Theatre of Harlem in 2017, dancing under the direction of Virginia Johnson until 2022. While with the company, he also performed as a guest artist with New York City Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Houston Ballet, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Following his time at Dance Theatre of Harlem, Anthony toured with the company of Hamilton: The Musical from 2022 to 2023. Most recently, he joined the touring company of Wicked from 2023 to 2024. He performed as a backup dancer for Jennifer Hudson in the Macy’s 2024 Thanksgiving Day Parade, under the choreography of Ebony Williams
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Wesley Wray
Currently in: Buena Vista Social Club
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Sophia Ramos
Currently in: Buena Vista Social Club
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Marielys Molina
Currently in: Buena Vista Social Club
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Andrew Montgomery Coleman
Currently in: Buena Vista Social Club
(he/him) Broadway debut! Hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina, Drew is a Brooklyn-based, proud alum of North Carolina A&T State University and the British American Drama Academy. He recently starred as King Louis in The Three Musketeersand Collins in Rent at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Select credits include Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors (North Shore), Omari in Pipeline (American Stage), Taylor in Prelude to a Kiss (World Premiere, Milwaukee Rep), and Eddie in Sister Act (New Stage, Derby Dinner). He currently stars as Jamal in the web series FortheBoys, available on YouTube. Shout out to Hudson Artists Agency, Tara Rubin Casting and his incredible family, mentors, and community who unwaveringly hold him up. Thank you, God!
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