The Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) season at Malkin Bowl in Vancouver this summer includes performances of CATS, and School of Rock – and you can enter to win tickets to opening night!
CATS and School of Rock at Theatre Under the Stars
- Date: July 5 to August 24, 2024 (opening nights July 10 and 11)
- Time: All shows begin at 8:00pm except on Fireworks Nights (July 20, 24, and 27) when shows begin at 7:00pm
- Location: Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park (610 Pipeline Rd, Vancouver)
- Tickets: On sale online
CATS took the theatre world by storm upon its debut in the West End and on Broadway in the early 80’s, winning both the Tony and Olivier Award for Best Musical. It is recognized as one of the longest-running musicals of all time, with more than 15,000 combined performances in London and New York over two decades. Performed entirely in song, CATS relies heavily on dance to tell its story about a tribe of exceptional cats called the Jellicles. They must decide which feline will be selected at their annual Jellicle Ball to ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to new life. The musical sensation, based on T.S. Eliot’s whimsical Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, is overflowing with unforgettable songs, including ‘Mr. Mistoffelees,’ ‘Macavity: The Mystery Cat,’ and, the all-time favourite, ‘Memory.’
About the Team
The CATS creative team, led by director Ashley Wright and choreographer Julie Murphy–who both make their TUTS debut–and returning music director Sean Bayntun (The Prom) will bring a fresh new vision to the TUTS stage this summer, featuring a contemporary urban alley setting and characters clothed in highly stylized costumes befitting of their eclectic personalities.
Based on the hit 2003 film, School of Rock is a high-voltage, exuberantly loud, feel-good show that showcases the strength of coming together and the irrepressible power of rock ‘n roll. In partnership with School of Rock Vancouver, the show will feature local youth musicians in its ensemble cast.
Featuring a “rabble-rousing rock score” (The Guardian), School of Rock is a Tony and Olivier-Award-nominated musical that debuted to critical acclaim on Broadway (2015) and in London’s West End (2016), before touring across North America, Australia, Europe, and Japan. The musical follows down-on-his-luck, wannabe rock star, Dewey Finn, who has been kicked out of his band and is facing eviction. When he’s serendipitously mistaken for a substitute teacher at a straight-laced private school, he seizes his chance to make some quick cash. Avoiding the prying eyes of the school’s principal and parents, Dewey teaches his uptight classroom how to let loose, chase their dreams, and express themselves through their music.
About the Team
The School of Rock creative team includes director Tracey Power, who returns for her second consecutive year directing with TUTS, following last year’s The Prom; choreographer Matthew Rossoff, who first performed on stage with TUTS in the early 2000’s; and music director Eliza De Castro, a 2023 TUTS Music Directing Fellow for The Prom. Together, the team hopes to inspire audiences with the power music holds to bring people together.
Special Event Nights
- Rock Your Favourite Band Tee Night – July 13
- School of Rock Vancouver Pre-Show Performances – July 13, July 27, August 4, August 24
- VOKRA Night – July 20 & August 17
- Pride Night (with Vancouver Pride Society) – July 22
- Relaxed Performance (with Canucks Autism Network) – July 29
- VocalEye Performance – August 2
- PAL Pass the Hat Night (with PAL Vancouver)– August 16 & 17
Win Tickets
I have a pair of tickets to give away to each opening night at TUTS, so there will be two winners! Here’s how you can enter to win and be sure to select which show you’d like to see: