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Claudette (Taryn Mamo Cefai), Georgette

 Photo by Chris 'Goa' Farrugia 

Il-Kbir Għadu Ġej

A jukebox musical in Maltese built around the best-loved hits of rock n’ roll icon Freddie Portelli. Freddie’s music has been synonymous with Maltese culture since the 1960s and this musical was a celebration of his legacy, his larger-than-life persona, and Maltese life in the swinging 60s.

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The show is the story of young Alfred who dreams of international stardom and juggles his musical aspirations with work at the Drydocks. His hopes lie in winning the music competition at the Black Train Bar and the contacts that come with the prize. However his life is complicated by his crush on Georgette (who fronts rival band Liberty Land), and the lure of emigration for better opportunities which threatens to take his best friend (and drummer) away.

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Il-Kbir Għadu Ġej features hits such as Viva Malta, Xewqat Sbieħ, Se Jkolli Nemmen and Ħallini. The show was commissioned and produced by Balzunetta Productions at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in August 2019 and again in August 2022.

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Duration: 120 mins

Main Cast: 7F, 9M

"broken local records by becoming the highest grossing box office opening in history"

Lovin Malta

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The closing song for Il-Kbir Għadu Ġej was written and released for the show with music by Dominic Galea, lyrics by Sean Buhagiar, performed by Freddie Portelli and remixed by Micimago.

22 Ma Kellekx TortFreddie Portelli
00:00 / 02:32
23 Nerga' Nsir FerhanFreddie Portelli
00:00 / 02:21
03 Genna tal-ArtFreddie Portelli
00:00 / 02:11
08 Kulhadd JafFreddie Portelli
00:00 / 03:16
11 Mulej - Narak KullimkienFreddie Portelli
00:00 / 02:11
13 Dak ir-Rock n'Roll - Blue Sea BayFreddie Portelli
00:00 / 02:40
19 Dak il-FlixkunFreddie Portelli
00:00 / 01:59

 

Track List

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  1. Dak Kien Żmien

  2. Tgħallimt

  3. Ġenna tal-Art

  4. Ħabib

  5. Tgħidx Le

  6. Bħalek Hawn Kemm Trid

  7. Ma Jifridna Ħadd

  8. Kulħadd Jaf

  9. Flimkien

  10. Ma Taħraqni b’Xejn

  11. Mulej / Narak Kullimkien

  12. Jitbiegħdu

  13. Dak ir-Rock n’ Roll / Blue Sea Bay

  14. Viva Malta

  15. Kif Igerbu s-Snin

  16. Xewqat Sbieħ

  17. Naf Għalfejn

  18. Se Jkolli Nemmen

  19. Dak il-Flixkun

  20. Kliem

  21. Ħallini

  22. Ma Kellekx Tort

  23. Nerġa’ Nsir Ferħan

  24. Fuqek Ser Immut

  25. Għal Dejjem

  26. Wied ta’ Dmugħ

  27. Ejja Lura

  28. Kif Inħares Lejk

  29. Il-Kbir Għadu Ġej

Photos by Chris 'Goa' Farrugia

Il-Kbir Għadu Ġej was first produced by Balzunetta Productions on the 9th - 17th August 2019 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta.

 

Book - Malcolm Galea

Music & Lyrics - Freddie Portelli

Musical Arrangements - Dominic Galea

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2019 Production

Director - Sean Buhagiar

Musical Director - Dominic Galea

Choreographer - Warren Bonello

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Original Cast

Alfred il-Kredu - Kevin Borg

Toni Tagħna - Davide Tucci

Lourdes - Amber Bondin

Georgette - Marilena Gauci

Zija Pawlina - Leontine Spiteri

Old Alfred - Mark Tonna

Sylvia - Petra Zammit

Il-Bum - Luke Dalli

Il-Bummer - Max Dingli

Kurun - Colin Fitz

Gwido l-Liberty - Frank Zammit

Claudette - Taryn Mamo Cefai

Yvette - Michela Galea

Hans Fritzer - Emanuel Cassar

Michela - Amber Mansueto

Valentino - Dominic Cini

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Band

Keys - Dominic Galea

Guitar - Luke Grech

Guitar - Steve Delia

Tenor Sax - Mario Borg

Bass - Antoine Psaila

Drums - Robert Spiteri

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Ensemble

Alison Abela, Mariele Rose Borg, Toni Busuttil, Jamie Cardona, Ina Cini Robinich, Christine Francalanza, Jeremy Grech

Dancers

Warren Bonello, Alister Camilleri, Eliza Cassar, Nicole Chetcuti, Jake Curti, Martina Galea, Maria Gauci, Thomas Grixti, Matthias Magri, Neriah Mangion, Matteo Mifsud, Nina Ragonesi, Emilie Visanich

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