Kick-off to the new 2026/27 musical season

© Katharina Schiffl

Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and MARIA THERESIA – THE MUSICAL.

Just in time for the start of the season, the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien organised a festive get-together.

At the Ronacher, the casts – including Nienke Latten, Moritz Mausser, Fabio Diso, Annemarie Lauretta, Dominik Hees, Roy Goldman and Simon Stockinger – the teams from both productions, as well as colleagues behind the scenes, took the opportunity to get in the mood for the upcoming season together. In a pleasant atmosphere and with summery temperatures, everyone raised a glass to the 2026/27 season

MARIA THERESIA – THE MUSICAL: Extended until June 2027 following its huge success

The season kicks off on 12 September with the revival premiere of MARIA THERESIA – THE MUSICAL at the Ronacher. This latest VBW in-house production tells the fascinating story and legacy of one of the most influential monarchs of the 18th century – a vivid portrait of power, passion and historical change. Owing to its huge popularity with audiences and daily sold-out performances, the hit musical has been extended by one season and will continue to run at the Ronacher until June 2027.

A spectacular new production of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

The Raimund Theatre will also reopen its doors on 25 September with the grand gala premiere of the spectacular new production of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. The touching story of Belle and the enchanted prince, who can only be freed by true love, is brought to life by the VBW in a brand-new production featuring a first-class cast and many audience favourites – with rousing music, magnificent set design, dazzling costumes, opulent choreography and stunning stage technology. A fairytale experience for the whole family.

With a strong start to the new musical season, the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien are once again setting the standard for artistic diversity, quality and innovative theatrical experiences. Audiences can look forward to great stories, powerful emotions and extraordinary moments.

Get Together at the Ronacher 2026

  • © Katharina Schiffl

  • © Katharina Schiffl

  • © Katharina Schiffl

  • © Katharina Schiffl

  • The new musical season at the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien combines artistic quality, huge audience success and exceptional productions. Particularly welcome is the extension of *MARIA THERESIA – THE MUSICAL*, which has proved a huge hit with audiences. Another highlight follows at the Raimund Theatre with Disney’s *BEAUTY AND THE BEAST*. The VBW thus impressively demonstrate how successfully tradition, innovation and professional cultural management can work together.

    Mag. Karin Ramser, Managing Director of Wien Holding GesmbH

  • With MARIA THERESIA – THE MUSICAL and Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, we are presenting two productions this season that exemplify the diversity of our musical theatre programme. MARIA THERESIA has established itself as a huge hit with audiences and, due to overwhelming demand, has been extended until June 2027. At the same time, with Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, we are bringing a world-famous musical classic to the stage of the Raimund Theatre in a spectacular new production. Combining internationally successful titles with strong in-house productions is a key part of our programming strategy and underlines the VBW’s status as one of Europe’s leading musical theatre companies.

    VBW Musical Director Christian Struppeck

  • With the extension of MARIA THERESIA – THE MUSICAL and the major new production of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the VBW is building on the high audience demand and the successful development of recent seasons. Both productions demonstrate what the VBW stands for: international quality as well as the power of Austrian creativity. In doing so, the VBW underlines its significant role in Vienna’s cultural life and makes an important contribution to cultural diversity and to Vienna’s international reputation as a musical metropolis.

    VBW CEO Prof. Dr. Franz Patay
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