News DeskDubai, UAE – The curtain is rising on Once Upon a Time in Dubai, the region’s first original global musical, with the release of its upbeat lead single Habibi, performed by rising Lebanese star Amanda Maalouf. The release of the song coincides with the official unveiling of the show’s international cast, setting the stage for its grand premiere in December 2025.
Habibi, composed by globally acclaimed songwriter Nazim Khaled and released under Universal Music MENA, is described as a vibrant anthem celebrating the multicultural heartbeat of Dubai. The song combines international pop with Arabic rhythms and is accompanied by a cinematic teaser video shot across the city’s iconic skyline and desert dunes.
Amanda Maalouf stars as Zeina, one of the show’s lead characters, joined by British singer Joe Woolford (Will), British dancer-singer Melissa Jeffrey (Sophia), and Dubai-based performer Isiako (Khalid). The cast also includes Portuguese vocalist Jessica Alves, Dutch theatre star Shay Lachman, and Canadian-Lebanese singer Enzo S, offering a true cross-cultural ensemble.
Created by French entrepreneur Stéphane Boukris and directed by Johan Nus, known for his work on Arabs Got Talent and The Masked Singer, the musical aims to blend Broadway and West End spectacle with cinematic storytelling and Dubai’s unique cultural backdrop.
“This is not just a show,” said Boukris, “It’s a love letter to Dubai through the eyes and voices of the world.”
With the release of Habibi, anticipation is building for a genre-defying production that promises to bring together music, dance, and narrative on a scale never before seen in the region.
