The premiere of The Lion King’s Mandarin-language production will be presented at Walt Disney Grand Theatre, a new 1,200-seat Broadway-style theatre to be located in Shanghai Disney Resort. Casting for the show is scheduled to begin this summer in China with a focus on recruiting and developing local talent. The Lion King’s Spanish-language premiere in Mexico City will be produced by OCESA and will be the largest theatrical production ever to be mounted in Mexico. Performances will begin in May 2015 at the Telcel Theatre in Mexico City.

“It is especially exciting for us to premiere at the purpose-built theatre at the Shanghai Disney Resort, marking our first collaboration with our partners at Disney Parks and Resorts,” said Thomas Schumacher, president and producer, Disney Theatrical Productions, in a statement. ”This uniquely Chinese production will be our most ambitious yet, featuring the very best of local talent, who will perform the show for the first time in Mandarin as they bring Julie Taymor’s singular theatrical vision to life.”

“We are equally thrilled to bring The Lion King to Mexico City with our partners at OCESA,” Schumacher added. “This entirely new production will be created especially for the glorious Telcel Theatre. I am proud to continue our long history presenting our productions in Mexico.”