Strictly Come Dancing star Pasha Kovalev will make his musical theatre debut in new musical La Bamba! this summer.
The Russian Latin and ballroom dancer who was a professional partner for eight seasons of the hit BBC show, reaching four finals and lifting the glitterball trophy in 2014 with celebrity partner Caroline Flack, will take on the role of Ricardo in the musical inspired by the life and music of ground breaking rock ‘n’ roller Ritchie Valens.
Featuring choreography by fellow Strictly Come Dancing favourite, Italian Latin champion Graziano Di Prima, Erica Da Silva and associate choreographer Giada Lini, La Bamba! will be directed by multi-award-winning American Ray Roderick.
Commenting on his new career move, Kovalev said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the cast of La Bamba! 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.”
With music by Alfonso Casado-Trigo and lighting design by Jack Weir, La Bamba! uses the vibrant music of the singer who tragically died in a plane crash when he was just 17 to help tell the story of a young LatinX girl in Pacoima, California.
Presented by Paul Morrissey Ltd, the new dance musical will receive its world premiere at Curve in Leicester from 1-5 August at the start of a UK tour which will include a limited season at London’s Peacock Theatre, Sadler’s Wells from 22 August until 2 September.
Discussing his involvement in the project, Di Prima said: “I am honoured to be choreographing this brand-new dance show. We workshopped it last year and I am so excited that it will now be touring across the UK from July. Audiences will get to experience a different kind of musical and some real Latin passion from our incredible cast.”
The tour will also travel to High Wycombe, Coventry, Cardiff, Swindon, Dartford and Blackpool.
Commenting on the choice of Leicester to launch the new musical, Curve’s chief executive Chris Stafford and artistic director Nikolai Foster said: “We are thrilled Curve continues to be the choice theatre for producers to launch major touring productions. We look forward to welcoming Ray, Graziano and the entire cast and creative team to Leicester with the world-premiere of La Bamba! this August.”
Further casting will be announced at a later date.
Angela Thomas
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