STAR-STUDDED CAST ANNOUNCED FOR Il-KBIR GĦADU ĠEJ!
The producers behind Balzunetta Productions today announced the leading performers and the rest of the cast of the iconic musical II-Kbir Għadu Ġej, which will premiere at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta on the 9th of August 2019. The original musical in Maltese is penned by comedian Malcolm Galea and directed by established director Sean Buhagiar, whilst the live band will be in the hands of Mro Dominic Galea.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
The coveted lead role of Il-Kredu has gone to star singer Kevin Borg. The talented singer rose to fame as the winner of Swedish Idol, where he was the first non-Swedish winner in the show’s history. He is joined by blonde sensation Marilena, Malta’s former child star, who’s now all grown-up. Marilena, who won the Malta Junior Eurovision Song Contest at 13, will be back on stage as young rocker Georgette, working on some of Freddie Portelli’s sexiest tunes. Much loved celebrity singer Amber returns to musical theatre after her critical success as Serafina in Ħanina Maddalena last year, this time in the role of the sweetheart, Lourdes, whilst the beloved voices of Leontine and MarkTonna will reunite on stage to grace the audiences as Zija Pawlina and Alfred.
As Toni Tagħna, the hottest Toni on the island, we will have DavideTucci fresh from his success on screen with Limestone Cowboy. Following his singing days in Spring Awakening and Balzunetta Towers, this is his greatest role in a musical yet. He is joined by renowned TV presenter Luke“id-Dalli” Dalli who will be back to his first love, theatre. After many pantomimes and Bla Kondixin characters in his younger days, he will star in the role of Il-Bum. The star of Porn – The Musical, MaxDingli, who fronted the noughties’ band, Shiloo’s Tree, joins as Il-Bummer.
There is also an X-Factor to this summer’s musical. The role of hard-working mother Sylvia will be played by X-Factor favourite Petra, who scored brilliantly with audiences and critics alike just a couple of months ago. Besides the X-Factor star, there’s also a Miss Malta; in fact, MichelaGalea, who also won L-Għanja tal-Poplu last year will be singing her heart out as Yvette, while actress, radio host and social media influencer TarynMamoCefai will rock the stage again, after having done so in the recent local production of Rock of Ages.
There’s no rest for the weary, and after having presented the Malta’s Fashion Week Awards, Colin“Il-Fitz” Fitz is joining the cast of Il-Kbir Għadu Ġej as Kurun, the local MC at the bar where Kredu and friends hung out in 1969. It is said that the National Fitz is probably the most excited member of the cast. But you can also expect a lot of excitement from popular radio DJ FrankZammit too; Mr. Zammit, recently seen in the hit-show Raymond Fight Beck, will in fact be playing Gwido l-Liberty, the antagonist. Children’s favourite AmberMansueto will continue taking the stage by storm after her beautiful performance in Teatru Malta’s Il-Madonna Tiegħi Aħjar Minn Tiegħek and her big-screen debut in the local children’s movie L-Għoġol tad-Deheb.
Veteran stage and TV actor ManwelCassar also joins the stellar cast as part of the principle ensemble roles, alongside established stage actors such as Toni“tal-Van” Busuttil, powerhouse duoDominic and Ina, Jamie Cardona, Christine Francalanza, Jeremy Grech, Alison Abela and many other familiar faces. Together they will give voice to the much-loved Freddie Portelli soundtrack. The cast also includes some of the best dancers working in Malta today with the choreography being in the young hands of the talented Warren Bonello. Veteran Adrian Mamo will be designing the set, whilst colourful designer Maria Muscat will be taking care of costumes.
![]()
“With this sensational cast and our superb ensemble of singers and actors pumping out those rock n’roll hits, with some of the most talented dancers in Malta hitting those moves, I know the audience will be on their feet every night,” said Sean Buhagiar. “The delightful, indelible songs of Freddie Portelli are loved by all, young and old, so it’s sure to be a party every night at the MCC. As for Freddie, watching the show is expected to be one of the most emotional moments of his long career.”
Paying homage to the iconic singer’s discography, Il-Kbir Għadu Ġej is packed with Maltese classics, including Malta Bums’ greatest hit Viva Malta, Ħallini, Għal Dejjem, Xewqat Sbieħ and the current hit single of the same name as the musical. This brand-new production will premiere in August for an unforgettable celebration of the music of one of Malta’s most loved Maltese singers and personalities of all time. More information can be found on www.freddieportelli.com.
The producers behind Balzunetta Productions today announced the leading performers and the rest of the cast of the iconic musical II-Kbir Għadu Ġej, which will premiere at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta on the 9th of August 2019. The original musical in Maltese is penned by comedian Malcolm Galea and directed by established director Sean Buhagiar, whilst the live band will be in the hands of Mro Dominic Galea.
The coveted lead role of Il-Kredu has gone to star singer Kevin Borg. The talented singer rose to fame as the winner of Swedish Idol, where he was the first non-Swedish winner in the show’s history. He is joined by blonde sensation Marilena, Malta’s former child star, who’s now all grown-up. Marilena, who won the Malta Junior Eurovision Song Contest at 13, will be back on stage as young rocker Georgette, working on some of Freddie Portelli’s sexiest tunes. Much loved celebrity singer Amber returns to musical theatre after her critical success as Serafina in Ħanina Maddalena last year, this time in the role of the sweetheart, Lourdes, whilst the beloved voices of Leontine and MarkTonna will reunite on stage to grace the audiences as Zija Pawlina and Alfred.
As Toni Tagħna, the hottest Toni on the island, we will have DavideTucci fresh from his success on screen with Limestone Cowboy. Following his singing days in Spring Awakening and Balzunetta Towers, this is his greatest role in a musical yet. He is joined by renowned TV presenter Luke“id-Dalli” Dalli who will be back to his first love, theatre. After many pantomimes and Bla Kondixin characters in his younger days, he will star in the role of Il-Bum. The star of Porn – The Musical, MaxDingli, who fronted the noughties’ band, Shiloo’s Tree, joins as Il-Bummer.
There is also an X-Factor to this summer’s musical. The role of hard-working mother Sylvia will be played by X-Factor favourite Petra, who scored brilliantly with audiences and critics alike just a couple of months ago. Besides the X-Factor star, there’s also a Miss Malta; in fact, MichelaGalea, who also won L-Għanja tal-Poplu last year will be singing her heart out as Yvette, while actress, radio host and social media influencer TarynMamoCefai will rock the stage again, after having done so in the recent local production of Rock of Ages.
There’s no rest for the weary, and after having presented the Malta’s Fashion Week Awards, Colin“Il-Fitz” Fitz is joining the cast of Il-Kbir Għadu Ġej as Kurun, the local MC at the bar where Kredu and friends hung out in 1969. It is said that the National Fitz is probably the most excited member of the cast. But you can also expect a lot of excitement from popular radio DJ FrankZammit too; Mr. Zammit, recently seen in the hit-show Raymond Fight Beck, will in fact be playing Gwido l-Liberty, the antagonist. Children’s favourite AmberMansueto will continue taking the stage by storm after her beautiful performance in Teatru Malta’s Il-Madonna Tiegħi Aħjar Minn Tiegħek and her big-screen debut in the local children’s movie L-Għoġol tad-Deheb.
Veteran stage and TV actor ManwelCassar also joins the stellar cast as part of the principle ensemble roles, alongside established stage actors such as Toni“tal-Van” Busuttil, powerhouse duoDominic and Ina, Jamie Cardona, Christine Francalanza, Jeremy Grech, Alison Abela and many other familiar faces. Together they will give voice to the much-loved Freddie Portelli soundtrack. The cast also includes some of the best dancers working in Malta today with the choreography being in the young hands of the talented Warren Bonello. Veteran Adrian Mamo will be designing the set, whilst colourful designer Maria Muscat will be taking care of costumes.
“With this sensational cast and our superb ensemble of singers and actors pumping out those rock n’roll hits, with some of the most talented dancers in Malta hitting those moves, I know the audience will be on their feet every night,” said Sean Buhagiar. “The delightful, indelible songs of Freddie Portelli are loved by all, young and old, so it’s sure to be a party every night at the MCC. As for Freddie, watching the show is expected to be one of the most emotional moments of his long career.”
Paying homage to the iconic singer’s discography, Il-Kbir Għadu Ġej is packed with Maltese classics, including Malta Bums’ greatest hit Viva Malta, Ħallini, Għal Dejjem, Xewqat Sbieħ and the current hit single of the same name as the musical. This brand-new production will premiere in August for an unforgettable celebration of the music of one of Malta’s most loved Maltese singers and personalities of all time. More information can be found on www.freddieportelli.com.