THEATRE PREVIEW

JUNE 2026 | Volume 264

 

TUTS' 86th Season Explores Heavens Above and Oceans Below with Sister Act and Disney's The Little Mermaid

A divine musical comedy and a Disney family favourite will light up Stanley Park's iconic Malkin Bowl stage

TUTS presents a summer season of fabulous and fantastical musical hits with the premiere of Sister Act and Disney's The Little Mermaid, on stage July 3 to August 22, 2026, under the stars at Stanley Park's magical Malkin Bowl. A Vancouver tradition since 1940, TUTS' early bird tickets are on sale now through June 20.

"We are delighted to welcome audiences into the immersive and awe-inspiring worlds of two daring heroines this summer season," says Kevin Woo, TUTS General Manager. "From the nightclub to the nunnery, Sister Act's Deloris forges a powerful bond with an unlikely sisterhood, unlocking her true potential as an aspiring singer. And from an underwater grotto to a royal palace, Ariel in Disney's The Little Mermaid must learn to trust in the strength of her inner voice to claim the life she has always longed for. Together, this year's season invites audiences on a journey of connection, discovery, and the courage it takes to chase your dreams."

Based on the classic animated film, Disney's The Little Mermaid brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage. The film-turned-musical debuted on Broadway in 2008, and has since toured internationally, in the US, Canada, Japan, Russia, Brazil, Argentina, and across Europe. With visually stunning set design and bursting with family-friendly entertainment, OnStageBlog hailed the production as "magically charming in just about all the right places."

The beloved tale follows Ariel, a curious, young mermaid who dreams of a world above the sea. After saving the life of Prince Eric following a disastrous shipwreck, Ariel strikes a dangerous bargain with the conniving sea witch, Ursula, exchanging her voice for a chance to be human. With the support of her loyal sea friends–Flounder, Sebastian, and Scuttle–Ariel sets out to win Eric's heart and break the curse with a true love's kiss before it's too late.

Disney's The Little Mermaid will be directed and choreographed by Nicol Spinola, who returns to TUTS after choreographing TUTS productions of Something Rotten!, Mary Poppins, and Cinderella, as well as performing in Annie Get Your Gun, Annie, and Hairspray! Spinola will be joined by Music Director Brent Hughes, who has previously music directed Cinderella and Something Rotten!Julia MacLean (Newsies) is Associate Choreographer and Nicole Laurent is the 2026 Choreography Fellow.

Playing the lead role of Ariel is Madison Simms, who was last seen on the TUTS stage in 2025's Legally Blonde The Musical. Other returning cast members include Tanner Zerr as King Triton, Liam Nimmo as Grimsby, Angus Silva as Flounder, Sophie McKenzie as Scuttle, Cecilly Day as Ursula, and Twyla Raffé-Devine as Jetsam. Debuts include Pier Francesco Marchi as Prince Eric, Janelle Reid as Sebastian, Dalton Nelson as Flotsam, and Paige Swain as Chef Louis. New and returning Mersisters include Madison Raybould, Zoë Chow, Camille Griffiths, Kadia Kindersley, Lexi Limin, and Amanda Spinosa. New and returning ensemble members include Danny Tepper, Kherl Atienza, Troy Banks, Chiara Go, Ilya Mulji, Fumi Okochi, Sophie O'Brien, Sophia Pollock, and Elijah Sam.

SPECIAL EVENTS AT TUTS 2026:

Family Nights – Mondays at 7pm (July 13, 20 & 27 / August 3, 10 & 17)
For the first time, TUTS has dedicated Monday nights for families! Starting one hour earlier at 7pm helps provide additional options for families with young children.

Relaxed Performances – July 20 & 27
TUTS will partner with the Canucks Autism Network to host a relaxed performance for each production. A relaxed performance is a show adapted to suit people who might require a more relaxed environment when going to the theatre, including (but not limited to) individuals who are on the autism spectrum or have sensory processing differences.

Pride Night – July 29
TUTS will host a Pride Night for a performance of Sister Act, in support of local 2SLGBTQ+ choirs. Drop by our VIP tent to learn more about some of our city's loudest and proudest community choirs.

PAL Pass the Hat Night – August 14 & 15
TUTS will partner with PAL Vancouver to collect donations at a performance for each production. Co-founded in 2001, PAL Vancouver provides affordable housing to longstanding members of Metro Vancouver's performing arts community.

VocalEye – Date To Be Confirmed
TUTS will partner with VocalEye to provide a live description experience (date to be confirmed). VocalEye performances benefit people who are blind, partially sighted or visually impaired.

TUTS, in partnership with Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility, is also proud to offer enhanced audio accessibility for patrons who are Hard of Hearing. With the user-friendly Betterear app, guests with Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids or cochlear implants can enjoy clear, real-time audio streamed directly to their own smartphones, available for all performances throughout the season. For more information, visit tuts.ca/visitor-info/accessibility/

Early bird tickets are now available through June 20, starting at $35. For tickets and further information, visit tuts.ca

About Theatre Under the Stars (tuts.ca)
Theatre Under the Stars celebrates 86 years of theatre in the crown jewel of Vancouver – Stanley Park. So much more than just a night at the theatre, TUTS interweaves a kaleidoscope of elements – setting, scenery, concessions, and quality art – into a fun, encompassing experience that is much greater than the sum of its parts. Nestled among awe-inspiring Douglas Firs, the company is uniquely suited to Vancouver and reflects some of the city's most collectively embraced values: exuberance, expression, nature, and youth. The latter is especially important to the organization, as it is not only a presenter of shows, but a creator of opportunities for young performers. The number of careers and life-long relationships with art fostered on the Malkin Bowl stage are countless.

LISTING INFORMATION
TUTS presents Sister Act and Disney's The Little Mermaid
Dates: July 3 to August 22, 2026
Previews: July 3-6, 2026
Opening Nights: July 7 & 8, 2026
All Monday performances start at 7pm
Tuesday-Sunday performances start at 8pm

Ticket Prices: Early Bird Tickets $35-$59 (On Sale May 19-June 20)
Regular Tickets $35-$69
Address: Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park
610 Pipeline Rd.
Vancouver, BC
Tickets: tuts.ca or 1-800-514-3849
Website: tuts.ca

 

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