Cinnamon Life presents ‘La Bamba!’

From left: Local Associate Director Kalakeerthi Jerome Lakshman de Silva, Local Associate Music Director Soundarie David Rodrigo, British Council Country Director Orlando Edwards, John Keells CSR Head Carmeline Jayasuriya, JKH Colombo City Hotels Vice President and Cinnamon Life General Manager Kamal Munasinghe and Nation Trust Chief Marketing Officer Sanjaya Senarath

The Song of Veracruz to position Colombo as an emerging global entertainment hub

By Dilrukshi Fernando

Cinnamon Life, in collaboration with the John Keells Foundation (JKF) and Nations Trust Bank, recently announced the staging of the West End-licensed musical ‘La Bamba! - The Song of Veracruz in Colombo, in its continued efforts to reinforce the city’s position as a South Asian hub for world-class entertainment. 

The musical theatre production will take centre stage at Cinnamon Life, City of Dreams, Colombo, from 24 to 28 April 2026, featuring seven performances across five days, including two matinee shows, marking one of the most ambitious international musical theatre presentations ever staged in Sri Lanka.

For Cinnamon Life, ‘La Bamba!’ represents a milestone moment. While the brand has previously brought acclaimed productions such as ‘The Sound of Music’ and ‘West End’s Mamma Mia!’ to Sri Lanka, this marks the first international musical of this scale to be staged at its own state-of-the-art forum, a 900-seat performance space purpose-built for world-class theatre.

“With ‘La Bamba!’, we are creating a platform where audiences can enjoy exceptional theatre right here in Colombo. The production demonstrates our commitment to enriching the city’s cultural offerings and supporting the growth of local talent in a professional setting,” said Cinnamon Life General Manager and Colombo Hotels Senior Vice President, Kamal Munasinghe, highlighting how Cinnamon Life provides the ideal setting for audiences to experience world-class performing arts.

Echoing these sentiments, John Keells Holdings PLC Head of Global Alliances & Partnerships and Corporate Affairs, Dileep Mudadeniya, said, “If Colombo continues to add soft value to the city through events, museums, art galleries and festivals, it has the potential to become one of South Asia’s leading destinations.”

The production is presented in partnership with Paul Morrissey Ltd., a London-based theatre production company known for delivering West End and international productions with global consistency. Local auditions will open doors for Sri Lankan performers to join the international cast, creating a vibrant cross-cultural ensemble, paving the way to build the capacity and skills of local talent for future productions of this calibre.

“La Bamba! is a celebration of collaboration across cultures. The local auditions allow Sri Lankan performers to participate in the production alongside international artists, creating a performance that is dynamic, diverse, and exciting for audiences,” said Paul Morrissey Ltd. Founder Paul Morrissey.

Inspired by Mexican heritage and driven by live music, choreography, and ensemble storytelling, ‘La Bamba! - The Song of Veracruz’ arrives with the full weight of West End production values. The show features 19 performers, six musicians, and a technical and creative crew of over 40 members, supported by elaborate stage design and professional production infrastructure.

The production brings together two stalwarts of Sri Lanka’s theatre scene, with veteran theatre practitioner Jerome de Silva serving as Associate Director and Soundarie David as Associate Music Director, working in collaboration with the British Council Sri Lanka. David confirmed that the team would also conduct auditions to cast Sri Lankan performers in selected roles.

“La Bamba! is a production rich in rhythm, movement, and narrative. It is a privilege to be part of this musical, which blends rich storytelling with dynamic performance, and I look forward to guiding our local cast in bringing this vibrant show to life for a diverse audience”, said La Bamba! Associate Director, Jerome de Silva.

As the presenting partner, the John Keells Foundation continues its long-standing commitment to arts and culture as a catalyst for creativity and social connection. As the John Keells Holdings PLC, Head of CSR, Carmeline Jayasuriya remarked, “John Keells Foundation is delighted to partner on La Bamba! and support a production that brings together international expertise and local artistry. We see this as a wonderful opportunity for Sri Lankan artists to showcase and develop their skills and help position Sri Lanka on the global cultural stage.”

Tickets for La Bamba! - The Song of Veracruz are available via www.cinnamonboxoffice.com, with a special 10% discount for Nations Trust Bank American Express and Mastercard holders (for a limited time). Details for auditions can also be obtained from the same web portal.

La Bamba! The Song of  Veracruz

24 to 28 April 2026 

(07 shows across 05 days)

Cinnamon Life, City of Dreams, Colombo

For tickets and details on auditions, please visit www.cinnamonboxoffice.com