Strictly Star Pasha Kovalev takes the lead in explosive new musical La Bamba!

Strictly Come Dancing champion PASHA KOVALEV will partner up with The Wanted’s SIVA KANESRARAN to star in the pulsating dance musical La Bamba! at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 November.

"I'm gonna LIVE, I'm gonna LAUGH...I'm gonna DANCE!"

La Bamba! is a jaw-dropping modern new musical that combines the infectious rhythms of Latin, R&B and hip hop with 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.

Sofia, a wildly talented 17-year-old from Los Angeles, California, has music in her blood. From the moment her father handed her a guitar, her dream was to become a superstar. As she mixes the music from her roots with the music in her heart, Sofia also dreams of bringing together a community that has never felt more divided. Inspired by her musical heroes and with the help of her family, Sofia discovers that even the longest journey begins with a single step and how just one decision can alter her story forever…

La Bamba! is a vibrant new musical about the power of connection to the world and the ones we love about passion and pride.

Strictly Come Dancing champion Pasha Kovalev will set hearts racing and temperatures rising as the red hot Ricardo in this fast-moving and heartfelt story of how the power of music can transform a generation and celebrate a community.

Pasha was one of Strictly Come Dancing’s most popular professional dancers after joining the famous BBC TV series in 2011. His top celebrity partners have included Waterloo Road actress Chelsee Healey, pop princess Kimberley Walsh, Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts and his now wife Rachel Riley from ITV’s Countdown whom he met on the show! But it was the much-loved TV presenter Caroline Flack who helped Pasha lift the Strictly glitterball in 2014 with three perfect 40 scores for their incredible dances in the final show that were hailed as ‘absolutely phenomenal.’

But who are the Top Five Best Strictly Come Dancing partnerships?

1. EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis and partner Giovanni Pernice danced their way to the final in 2021 after continually wowing audiences throughout the series. Their famous contemporary dance in week eight of the show also paid a moving tribute to the deaf community and included a silent segment for the first ever time. Rose is now Strictly's reigning ballroom queen.

2. Actress Jill Halfpenny became the second ever winner of Strictly in 2004 when partnered with Darren Bennett. Their incredible Jive to Elton John’s I’m Still Standing became legendary as one of the best-ever routines performed on Strictly. It was also the first routine to ever win a perfect score of 40, and they went on to win the whole series.
3. Top comedian and unexpected ballroom hero Bill Bailey formed a true friendship with professional partnership Oti Mabuse in 2020 which spilled onto the dance floor. The UK fell in love with the pair as they danced to Rapper’s Delight in week and the glitterball trophy was in the bag! At 55 years old, Bill also became the oldest winner in Strictly history.
4. They may not have made it to the final, but the unforgettable partnership of politician Ann Widdicombe and professional partner Anton Du Beke has joined the ranks of TV history! From the crazy outfits – banana yellow leggings and marabou trim anyone? to even crazier dance moves, there was clearly a deep affection and the deep desire to have fun, and the audience loved every daft minute of it.
5. Strictly favourite Pasha Kovalev formed a deep and memorable connection with his dance partner Caroline Flack in 2014. The popular pair wowed the judges and the public each week with their spectacular routines and undeniable chemistry, and they were the first couple to achieve perfect scores for all three of their dazzling dances in the final show before scooping the grand prize.

Book your seats now to see Pasha’s famous glitterball-winning dance moves once more on the Grand Theatre stage this November!  

Singer, songwriter and pop heartthrob Siva Kaneswaran is best known for being one fifth of smash-hit boyband The Wanted and most recently appeared in ITV’s Dancing On Ice where he wowed audiences and slid into the semi-final. Siva will play the role of Mateo alongside rising star Inês Fernandez in the lead role of Sofia. La Bamba! will also feature breath-taking choreography from Strictly Come Dancing favourite and Italian Latin champion Graziano Di Prima.

La Bamba! is directed by multi-award-winning American director Ray Roderick and features stunning choreography from Strictly Come Dancing favourite and Italian Latin champion Graziano Di Prima and Erica Da Silva with associate choreography by Giada Lini.

La Bamba! tells the sensational story of how the power of music can transform a generation and celebrate a community. This brand-new musical will feature an electrifying soundtrack from across the Latin genre from traditional folk songs to recent chart-topping hits, all expertly arranged by award-winning musical maestro, Alfonso Casado-Trigo.

Cha Cha to The Grand now and book your seats now for the fiesta of a lifetime!

La Bamba! starring Strictly Come Dancing champion Pasha Kovalev, Siva Kanesraran from top boyband The Wanted and introducing rising star Inês Fernandez is at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 November with evening and matinee performances.

Tickets from £17.50 with concessions and group rates available. This production is recommended for ages 7 +.

Visit blackpoolgrand.co.uk for full show listings and bookings or call the box office on 01253 290 190 for bookings and further information.

LISTINGS

La Bamba!

Tue 21 Nov to Sat 25 Nov at 7.30pm

Wed & Sat matinee at 2pm

Grand Theatre, 33 Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HT

Box Office 01253 290 190

blackpoolgrand.co.uk

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