“Belcon Brings the House Down” – Vulture

(236 West 45th St).  The Archdiocese of Newark’s Mercy House celebrated expectant mothers in need at its first-ever baby shower on March 18 in its Newark location.

Step into the heart of Cuba, beyond the glitz of the Tropicana, to a place where blazing trumpets and sizzling guitars set the dance floor on fire. Here, the sound of Havana is born—and one woman’s remarkable journey begins.

Inspired by true events, the new Broadway musical BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB™ brings the GRAMMY® Award-winning album to thrilling life—and tells the story of the legends who lived it. A sensational cast joins a world-class Afro-Cuban band in this unforgettable tale of survival, second chances, and the extraordinary power of music.

NATALIE VENETIA BELCON is thrilled to portray the legendary Omara Portuondo in the one of a kind Buena Vista Social Club and is beyond honored to have won the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical and to have been nominated for a Drama Desk Award. 

Credits include national tour: Wicked (Madame Morrible). Broadway: Matilda (Mrs. Phelps), Avenue Q (original cast as Gary Coleman), Rent(Joanne), Off-Broadway: Ahrens and Flaherty’s, The Glorious Ones at Lincoln Center, Regional: Ahrens and Flaherty’s new musical, Knoxville(adapted by Frank Galati) at Asolo Repertory Theatre, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Recurring and guest starring roles on a number of TV shows and featured roles in a few films.  PBS Great Performances: Play On!

The musical features an anchoring, powerhouse performance by Natalie Venetia Belcon as the adult Omara Portuondo. Imperiously regal, with a gorgeous, theater-filling voice, every scene featuring her singing is bravura, and she’s also very funny.” – The Daily Beast

“With her absolute command of the stage, Belcon galvanizes and grounds the production in a performance that fulfills all the demands of August Wilson’s greatest female role, Ma Rainey. Belcon instills that same fear and awe without ever pushing it. This actor’s achievement is even more remarkable in light of her having created the role of Gary Coleman in the original production of “Avenue Q” over 20 years ago. The two roles belong in different theatrical universes — and yet, Belcon has made both of them very much her own.” – The Wrap

“Belcon is an excellent dramatic actor” – Playbill

“Natalie Venetia Belcon impresses” – NY Theatre Guide