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Award Winning Broadway Musical ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Premiering At Teatru Manoel

Award Winning Broadway Musical ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Premiering At Teatru Manoel
Jan 23 2025 Share

FM Theatre Productions and Teatru Manoel to bring the six-time Tony award winning musical to the stage featuring a stellar line-up of local performers.

This February, another smash hit musical will take the stage at Teatru Manoel with a performance that is sure to  provoke thought and entertain. Jointly produced by Teatru Manoel and FM Theatre Productions, ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ is an award-winning musical  with book by Tony Award-winner Steven Levenson and score by Grammy, Tony and Academy Award winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

The musical revolves around a teenage boy, Evan Hansen who suffers from social anxiety. As assigned by his therapist, he writes letters to himself to build his confidence. One day, a letter of his ends up in the hands of classmate  Connor Murphy, who soon after takes his own life. When Connor’s parents contact Evan to give him the letter they believe was ‘addressed’ to him, Evan finds himself caught in a whirlwind of events, leaving him at the center of an ever-growing lie that spirals out of control after going viral on social media.

In this production by FM Theatre Productions and Teatru Manoel, the role of Evan Hansen will be played alternately by Kyle  Mangani and Luigi Buhagiar, with Kristen Abela and Charlotte Formosa sharing the role of Zoe Murphy.  Completing the stellar cast are Dorothy Bezzina, Nadine Farrugia, Raphael Pace, Thomas Camilleri, Jamie Cardona, and Carla Fenech.

‘Dear Evan Hansen’ is directed by Denise Mulholland, with Kris Spiteri as the show’s Musical Director, set design by Matthew Cassar and videography by Dylan Odom.

Performances run from the 7th to the 9th February and the 13th to the 16th of February at 7:30pm, with an additional matinee taking place at 3pm on Sunday the 16th. Tickets are selling fast, and can be purchased via https://teatrumanoel.mt/event/dear-evan-hansen/ or by calling the Teatru Manoel Box Office at (+356) 21246389.

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1,400 Non-Compliant Y-Plate Vehicles Removed Since 2025 Began

1,400 Non-Compliant Y-Plate Vehicles Removed Since 2025 Began
Jan 23 2025 Share

Taking to social media, Minister for Transport Chris Bonett revealed that in the past 3 days, 500 Y-plate vehicles were taken off local roads due to them not being compliant with the law.

Since the start of January 2025, up to 1,400 vehicles were removed, the Minister revealed, for violating the Public Service Garage (PSG) policy requirements.

This is part of a crackdown on vehicles which are not compliant with these laws, with the Minister saying that, despite the service being popular and useful for people, it still needs to take place within the bounds of the law.

‘The message is clear’, Bonett wrote. ‘We are in favour of this work, but those who do not follow the law, the necessary steps will be taken.’

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More Figures Speak Out Over Student Withdrawal

More Figures Speak Out Over Student Withdrawal
Jan 23 2025 Share

More political and influential figures in Malta spoke out over the case wherein students were withdrawn from a local school due to the realisation by the parents that the teacher was gay.

Among those speaking out was MP Roseanne Cutajar, who said that it is ‘absurd that in 2025 there are still people who look at gay people as a danger to society.’

These parents, she said, ‘are not realising that the drastic decision will leave a negative psychological impact on them as they have to start everything from scratch, make new friends and get used to a new environment.’

Wife of PN Leader Bernard Grech, AnneMarie, a teacher herself, also spoke out, saying that throughout her years in the profession, she always knew the importance of students recognising the importance of respect towards diversity from a young age.

‘Our children are too young to be taught to label others’, said AnneMarie.

Minister Miriam Dalli posted a video calling out the situation, asking whether we’ll be accepting situations like this, especially given the global political climate where LGBTIQ+ identities are being targeted.

‘We cannot lose that which our country worked so hard to achieve’, she concluded. Minister Julia Farrugia also shared a video, highlighting how people within the LGBTIQ+ community work with her closely and extraordinary and responsible they are.

The ADPD also shared a statement, with chairperson Sandra Gauci highlighting how discriminating against someone on the basis of sexuality and gender is illegal. ‘Despite this principle being in our laws, prejudice is still alive and strong and can only be overcome through education.

MGRM also issued a statement, expressing their solidarity with Stefan and their gratitude towards St Clare College Primary School for standing by him.

‘Parents excluding or isolating an educator because of their sexual orientation is increasingly worrying for the simple reason that students and children who are in the coming out process may give rise to self doubt and personal anxieties when they observe these behaviours.’

Local influencer Jean Pierre Cassar followed up with a statement as well, saying that ‘one can remove their child from a class due to their teacher being gay but know that you cannot live in a bubble. Gay people can be doctors you will be in need of, nurses who care for you, the lawyer, the driver, the shop-owner you bought something from…’

‘Your neighbour you might be in need of help from in an emergency, the restaurant you eat from might have a gay owner and chef, the song you listen to on the radio tomorrow might be produced by a gay person, and a film you might watch tomorrow might have a large number of gay people who worked on it.’

‘Your kids might even come to you tomorrow and tell you they’re gay. Don’t use Christ or your religion as your excuse. The God you believe in encourages you to love your neighbour. I stand with Stefan.’

‘When we teach children, through our attitudes, to reject others based on gender, ethnicity, or other differences, we not only hinder their ability to embrace diversity but also shape a future society rooted in division, prejudice, and a lack of empathy’, wrote Oliver Scicluna.

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Gay Teacher Publishes Letter To Parents After Student Withdrawals

Gay Teacher Publishes Letter To Parents After Student Withdrawals
Jan 22 2025 Share

Stefan Germanotta, who uses the name Stefan Vassallo for professional reasons, took to social media to publish the letter he sent to the parents of children who were pulled out of St Claire College due to their learning of his sexuality.

Stefan revealed that he uses a different surname to help compartmentalise his personal life as a gay man (as well as a love for Lady Gaga).

‘Today, however, I had to find the courage to publicly and proudly identify as a gay teacher. For those who haven’t had the chance to read it yet, I am sharing the letter here.’

In the letter, Stefan said that his beliefs and personal life – ‘one I have the legal right to live openly in this country – should never interfere with (the) responsibility’ of providing a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all students.

‘As a gay person living in a world that automatically assumes everyone is straight, I know firsthand the pain of questioning your worth and your right to exist because of stigmatising beliefs.’

‘I also have to ask: since when has merely seeing a rainbow been harmful to children? What exactly is it your are so afraid of?’

‘All children and educators deserve an education system that empowers them to grow and succeed in a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment. I am fortunate enough to be part of such a community at San Ġwann Primary, supported by an open minded leadership team and many dedicated educators committed to fostering this safe space.’

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