Austrian Premiere: The Lion King at Prater
The Theater im Prater is set for a spectacular opening in autumn 2027 with Disney’s The Lion King! Just in time for the show's 30th anniversary, this globally acclaimed production will premiere at the newly built musical theater in the Wurstelprater. Ticket sales are scheduled to begin in autumn 2026.
Casting Call: Talents Wanted
With a major casting call, the international production team is specifically reaching out to the diverse arts scene in Vienna and across Austria. Professional musical theatre training is not a requirement! What matters most is talent, personality, strong stage presence, and the right profile for the specific role.
Performers are sought for the lead roles of Scar, Mufasa, Rafiki, Simba, Nala, Timon, Pumbaa, and Zazu, as well as Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed. Additionally, the production is casting for the ensemble, swings, covers, and dance ensemble. To authentically bring the artistic vision of this global hit to the stage, the team is specifically looking for artists with BIPOC, international, or Southern European backgrounds for certain roles and positions.
How to apply:
★ via Castapp at castapp.pro
★ directly via email to Susanne Ortner, Casting Director at ATG Entertainment
The deadline for applications is Wednesday, October 21st, 2026.
For the auditions, applicants are asked to prepare R&B or pop songs rather than classic musical theatre numbers. This approach aims to give participants the opportunity to best showcase their unique vocal timbre, emotion, and personality.
You can find full details regarding the casting in this official announcement.
Disney's The Lion King – the musical
Since its world premiere in 1997, the heartwarming story of the young lion Simba has captivated over 130 million people worldwide. To date, 32 global productions have been staged in over 100 cities across 24 countries and translated into nine different languages. Its worldwide gross exceeds that of any fi lm, Broadway show, or other entertainment title in box office history.
Director Julie Taymor has transformed the famous Disney film into a theatrical experience unlike any other. From the very first notes of "The Circle of Life" (composed by Elton John and Hans Zimmer; originally performed by Carmen Twillie and Lebo M), elephants, giraffes, and gazelles process through the auditorium – an entrance that ranks among the most moving moments in the history of musicals.
Disney’s The Lion King is planned as a long-running, open-ended (en-suite) production in German in Vienna.
Theater im Prater
The Theater im Prater is currently being built at the historic intersection of Viennese charm and international entertainment. The design by the renowned architectural firms Haworth Tompkins of London and Dietrich Untertrifaller of Vienna sets entirely new standards in modern theater construction. The building combines a striking, inviting glass-and-wood façade with state-of-the-art stage technology and a clear focus on sustainability and accessibility. With approximately 1,800 seats, all of which guarantee a clear view of the stage, the venue offers the ideal setting for major international productions of this kind.
You can find further information about the production at der-koenig-der-loewen.at
Photo credits: Disney