City of Dreams and John Keells Foundation complete screening of Local Talent for La Bamba – Song of Veracruz!
The innovative search for Sri Lanka’s musical theatre talents for an international production has successfully concluded, with a promising group of children and adults selected to form the local cast of La Bamba – Song of Veracruz, presented by City of Dreams Sri Lanka and John Keells Foundation.
Following a highly competitive audition process held earlier this year, hopeful performers were tested in singing, dancing and acting under the guidance of Local Associate Director Kalakeerthi Jerome De Silva and Local Associate Music Director Soundarie David. Together, they assessed versatility, confidence, charisma and stage presence, ultimately shortlisting a dynamic group of performers who will soon take the stage with international counterparts.
John Keells Foundation (JKF), the CSR entity of the John Keells Group, as the presenting partner, plays a key role in supporting initiatives that foster creativity, cultural engagement and social cohesion in Sri Lanka, with the arts serving as a platform to nurture local talent and create access to high-quality cultural experiences.
As Carmeline Jayasuriya, John Keells Group’s Head of CSR, remarked, “John Keells Foundation is honoured to support a trailblazing production that brings together international expertise and local artistry in a unique setting at the City of Dreams. We are delighted to witness the amazing talent that has been screened for La Bamba! And see this as a wonderful opportunity for our very own artists to showcase and develop their skills while positioning Sri Lanka on the global cultural stage.”
The final round of auditions was attended by West End Director Paul Morrissey, Founder of Paul Morrissey Ltd, the London-based theatre production company, and Director of La Bamba – Song of Veracruz. Morrissey has described the musical as “a celebration of collaboration across cultures,” noting that the local auditions allow Sri Lankan performers to perform alongside international artistes, creating a production that is dynamic, diverse, and exciting for audiences.
Morrissey highlighted both the uniqueness of the production and the strength of local talent. “This is the first time Sri Lanka has licensed a Western production in this way, creating something truly multicultural and unique. I’ve been blown away by the talent, particularly the younger performers, and the strength of the singers. It feels like a natural next step to bring a West End musical and fuse it with Sri Lankan talent to create something really special for audiences.”
With auditions now complete, the selected local cast has commenced rehearsals, bringing together a vibrant mix of emerging and experienced talent. The production is set to elevate further as the international cast from London’s West End arrives in Colombo in the coming weeks, marking the next phase of this unique cross-cultural collaboration. The merging of local and international performers is expected to create a truly dynamic and memorable theatrical experience for Sri Lankan audiences.
Jerome De Silva noted that the depth of talent was both encouraging and challenging. “We were particularly impressed by the kids; the littlest ones were already stars. What stood out was not just good voices or strong dance technique, but the vivacity and charisma that a Latin American musical calls for. It’s about finding performers who can bring singing, acting and dancing together with personality,” he said.
Soundarie David echoed this view, highlighting Sri Lanka’s natural connection to rhythm. “Our indigenous music and dance forms have strong rhythmic roots, much like Latin music. That connection was very evident. We saw confidence, energy and passion, which is exactly what this production needs,” she said.
The local cast, selected through auditions, spoke of their experience with anticipation and enthusiasm, “It’s really exciting to be part of La Bamba! the production, dancing on stage, sharing the experience with West End actors, and having the opportunity to showcase our local talent to the world. Performing at City of Dreams would feel like… a dream!”
Among the young performers selected are children who brought remarkable enthusiasm to the auditions, including one 10-year-old who rated their excitement for La Bamba at “11 out of 10,” while a 12-year-old shared that singing is her favourite discipline. “I have a talent for singing, and I really love it. Acting doesn’t make me nervous, but singing does,” she said with a smile.
With rehearsals now underway and anticipation building, the local cast is preparing to join their international counterparts to bring this West End–licensed musical to life in Colombo. Organisers say the stage is set for a spectacular production that blends global excellence with homegrown talent.
Audiences are encouraged to secure their seats early for this limited-run production from 24th to 28th April at The Forum, City of Dreams Sri Lanka and witness the vibrancy of West End theatre in Colombo. This production features a new international cast. Any references to the original cast in promotional material relate to the original West End production on which this show is based.
La Bamba! The Song of Veracruz is presented by City of Dreams Sri Lanka and John Keells Foundation.Tickets are available via www.cinnamonboxoffice.com and hotline +94 71 711 8111, with a 10% early-bird discount for Nations Trust Bank American Express and Mastercard holders.
