Call Me Walt: Intimate Portrait of Disney’s Founder Extended at the Apollo Theatre

Forget fireworks and parades: from October 15, 2025, to May 16, 2026, the Apollo Theatre (Paris 11th) will delve into the backstage story of the legendary Walt Disney with Call Me Walt, a play written and directed by Julien Baptist. Here, Mickey's ears are set aside to better explore the man behind the legend—not just the empire builder, but the son, the brother, the husband, the father... the one who built a kingdom yet still keeps parts of his private life under wraps.

Synopsis: You know his name? You know his work? But who was Walt Disney? Who was the genius creator of that universe where our childhood would be forever protected. Enter into the intimacy of the Disney family, for whom Walt was a son, a brother, a husband and a father, confronted with those he inspired and sometimes also upset. Between heritage and creation, memory and illusion, it's time to take stock. To realize your dreams, what do you have to give up? Embark on this all-new show that reveals the invisible side of the man we called Walt!

Behind the scenes, Julien Baptist knows the Disney universe like the back of his hand: former artistic director of events and commercial products at Disneyland Paris, he orchestrated the park's Halloween parties. He also directed L'Éveil du Printemps (2011), Les Triplettes de Belleville : Go Ouest (2014), De Dieux et de Monstres (2016) and Kinky Boots (2018). For this project, he is joined by Christopher Lopez(Kinky Boots, Trophées de la Comédie Musicale), with casting by Patrick Mazet.

• To be read
• This week's top deals in Paris and Île-de-France, from February 23 to March 1, 2026

The cast includes Julien Baptist as Walt Disney, Emmanuelle Boidron as Lilian Disney, Walt's wife, Sébastien Chartier as Ub Iwerks, Walt's favorite designer, Bruno Hausler and Aubert Fenoy as Roy Disney, Walt's brother, Léana Montana as Diane Disney, Walt's daughter, and Richard Darbois as the iconic French voice of Harrison Ford and Richard Gere in a mysterious role.

Appelez-Moi Walt promises to focus more on the man than on his successes. A 1h30 Divertee production to lift the veil on the man behind the magic.

Our opinion:

Finally! After years of waiting and a few setbacks, Julien Baptist and his cast take on the bold challenge of bringing back Walt Disney, the man behind the myth — the visionary who built an empire on swamps... and wild ideas! The outcome? Hilarious, touching, insightful, and deeply human.

The set, simple yet evocative, puts the spotlight squarely on the performers. And what performers! Each actor embodies their role with astonishing authenticity, charged with an energetic presence that blurs the line between reality and fiction. We become almost voyeurs, witnessing this family’s domestic and professional disputes, moments of doubt, tender exchanges, and triumphs — everything feels authentic.

Julien Baptist, outstanding as Walt, captures all the facets of this multifaceted character: a visionary, charming yet sometimes stern, driven by an insatiable passion. Surrounding him, a close-knit, loving family makes each scene touching, especially his daughter Diane. The play also knows how to make us smile — from the delightfully biting satire of Snow White to the flashback of Mickey’s birth, an iconic moment that elicits smiles from everyone in the audience.

This generosity and sincerity in performance and direction are truly rewarding. And behind the magic, one question lingers: to fulfill our dreams, is there a price to pay?

As you leave, you’re left with a sweet blend of fantasy and truth. Call me Walt takes us behind the scenes of creation, where fairy dust meets the sweat of genius. It’s an ode to passion, dreams, and self-belief.