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 1992 hit movie starring Whoopi Goldberg, Sister Act made its musical debut in London's West End in 2009 and on Broadway in 2011. The Broadway production received multiple Tony Award nominations, including for Best Musical. Sister Act has since toured the world, across the UK, Europe, North America, and Asia, and recently received a highly anticipated West End revival in 2024. Full of larger-than-life disco numbers and soulful ballads, the heartfelt and hilarious musical comedy has been lauded as a "feel-good crowd-pleaser worth celebrating" (New York Daily News).

The story follows aspiring disco diva Deloris Van Cartier who is rushed into witness protection at a nearby convent, after she stumbles upon a shooting involving her gangster boyfriend. Under the guise of her new persona as Sister Mary Clarence, Deloris is tasked with taking over the flailing choir. Her fierce energy and undeniable talent help turn the choir into a regional sensation–encouraging her sisters to find their inner light, and ultimately rediscovering her own spark in the process.

Sister Act will be directed and choreographed by Peter Jorgensen, who returns in 2026 after directing TUTS' Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and starring as Professor Callahan in Legally Blonde The Musical. Sean Bayntun will return for the fourth year in a row as a TUTS Music Director, following his work on The Prom, CATS, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Hanna Mack (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) is Assistant to the Director/Choreographer, Jason Sakaki is the 2026 Directing Fellow, and Marizza Mislang is the 2026 Music Directing Fellow.

Sister Act features the TUTS debut of local performers, including Kat Reynolds as Deloris, Angela Donahue as Mother Superior, Andrew J. Hampton as Eddie Souther, Rodrigo Po Meas Pablo, Bea Martin as Sister Mary Theresa, and Jacob Sirois as TJ. TUTS will welcome returning alumni: Alyson Vance as Sister Mary Robert, Suzanne Jabour as Sister Mary Lazarus, Amanda Lourenço as Sister Mary Patrick, Sam Hall as Monsignor O'Hara, David Johnston as Curtis, and Matthew Valinho as Joey. New and returning ensemble members include: Melissa Hudson, Kayla Sakura Charcuk, Alex Villaverde Lopez, Keiarn Chesebro, Harriet Dykstra, Alicia Malelang, Cloris Li, Maya McCobbina, Sylvie Nesbitt, Ellie Scott, Brigit Stewart, Heather Mislang, Joel Bakajika, and Alex Sheppard-Reid.

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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