As she steps out of the stage door following a performance of “Buena Vista Social Club,” the acclaimed Broadway actress Natalie Venetia Belcon can’t help but notice the anticipation in the eyes of her fans. They eagerly extend Playbills and pens toward her co-stars, but when it's Belcon’s turn to meet them, she feels an air of shyness and hesitation. “They’re afraid,” she remarks. “It’s so weird. I’m like, ‘You guys, I’m pretending!’”
Onstage, at the age of 56, Belcon takes on the role of the middle-aged version of Omara Portuondo, the legendary Cuban singer renowned as “the queen of feeling.” In the production, Isa Antonetti portrays the teenage version of Portuondo. Belcon’s interpretation of Omara is both stately and commanding, embodying a presence that makes a lasting impression. “You’re not the kind of woman one forgets,” a bandmate in the show tells her character. With a mere tilt of her head or a wave of her hand, she can dismiss anyone in her path.
This remarkable performance has earned Belcon her first-ever Tony nomination for best performance by a featured actress in a musical. Although she insists that she is not akin to Omara, Belcon showcases some of the same majestic qualities during a casual afternoon snack of calamari and plantains at Cuba, a popular restaurant located in Manhattan’s West Village neighborhood.
During her visit to Cuba, the waiter seemed honored to mix a refreshing mojito for her. Clad in a stunning blue-and-yellow skirt paired with matching jewelry, Belcon exuded a regal aura as she enjoyed her drink. With a spark of delight, she pointed at the stalk of sugar cane in her glass, exclaiming, “Oh, I love sugar cane! I grew up chewing on it. Then you catch yourself in the mirror, like, ‘That doesn’t look sexy!’”
Despite her stunning stage presence, Belcon emphasizes that her offstage persona is much more relatable. In her downtime, she prefers to dress in oversized T-shirts and yoga pants, comfortably slipping into her bunny slippers to enjoy a UFC match. She embodies the essence of an everyday woman, balancing her remarkable Broadway career with the simplicity of daily life.
Belcon's journey in theater, particularly in her role in “Buena Vista Social Club,” showcases her talent and dedication, making her a standout figure in the world of Broadway. With her recent Tony nomination, she is poised to continue captivating audiences, both on and off the stage.
