Pasha Kovalev and Siva Kaneswaran to star in premiere of new dance musical La Bamba!
Strictly Come Dancing’s Pasha Kovalev and The Wanted’s Siva Kaneswaran are to star in the cast of new dance musical La Bamba!
The show will open at Curve in Leicester this summer from 22 August – 2 September ahead of a West End run and UK tour.
Inspired by the life of rock and roll pioneer Ritchie Valens, Ray Roderick directs with choreography by Kovalev’s Strictly co-star star and Italian Latin champion Graziano Di Prima and Erica Da Silva. It has music by Alfonso Casado-Trigo and with associate choreography by Giada Lini.
Pasha Kovalev (Burn the Floor’s World Tour, Here Come the Boys) will make his musical theatre debut as Ricardo with The Wanted star Siva Kaneswaran playing the role of Mateo.
They will be rising star Inês Fernandez in the lead role of Sofia.
The full company includes Bethan Mitchell, Stefani Ariza, Julia Ruiz Fernandez, Nicolle Matheu, Gabriella Rose-Marchant, Alex Sturman, Tristan Ghostkeeper and Luke Jarvis
La Bamba! tells the story of how the power of music can transform a generation and celebrate a community.
Sofia, a 17-year-old from Los Angeles, has music in her blood. From the moment her father handed her a guitar, her dream was to become a superstar. Inspired by her musical heroes and with the help of her family, Sofia discovers that even the longest journey begins with a single step. As she mixes the music from her roots with the music in her heart, Sofia dreams of bringing together a community that has never felt more divided.
La Bamba! is a jaw-dropping new musical that combines Latin, R&B, and timeless rock and pop to tell the ultimate feel-good story of a young girl with a big voice, big dreams, and an even bigger heart.
Pasha Kovalev said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the cast of La Bamba!, an upcoming musical production! This highly anticipated musical will be showcased across numerous venues in the UK, including the prestigious West End in London. I am so excited to be performing the exquisite choreography crafted by Graziano and Erica and can’t wait to embark on this thrilling journey.”
Following its premiere in Leicester, the production will transfer to London’s Peacock Theatre for a from 22 August – 2 September before touring UK venues including Swansea, Cardiff, Swindon, Dartford, Coventry and High Wycombe.
Inspired by the life and legacy of Rock ‘n’ Roll legend, Ritchie Valens, and featuring a sensational soundtrack of some of the most popular songs of the 20th century, La Bamba! smashes together musical and dance styles from contemporary R&B to Latin folk music.
La Bamba! is a beautiful exploration of Latin culture and heritage which charts Sofia’s evolution as an artist, and her fight against the same barriers and prejudices encountered by her hero Ritchie, some 70 years before.
For more information, visit www.labambaonstage.co.uk
