CATS and School of Rock
Two Broadway sensations from musical theatre legend Andrew Lloyd Webber light up the stage at Stanley Park’s beloved Malkin Bowl this summer.Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS), which presents CATS and School of Rock, on stage July 5–August 24, 2024, at Stanley Park’s iconic Malkin Bowl.
Stanley Park Vancouver BC Canada
Theatre Under The Stars: CATS & School of Rock
TUTS Invites Audiences to Dream Big and Live Boldly with Electrifying 2024 Season Featuring CATS and School of Rock
Two Broadway sensations from musical theatre legend Andrew Lloyd Webber light up the stage at Stanley Park’s beloved Malkin Bowl this summer
Vancouver, BC — Audiences are invited to have a ball and rock out at this summer’s sensational season of Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS), which presents CATS and School of Rock, on stage July 5–August 24, 2024, at Stanley Park’s iconic Malkin Bowl.
“As we prepare to welcome audiences back for another summer of unforgettable musical theatre in our majestic outdoor theatre setting, we couldn’t be more excited about staging two iconic Andrew Lloyd Webber masterpieces,” says TUTS General Manager Kevin Woo. “From the show-stopping song and dance numbers in CATS to the high-voltage, fist-pumping rock score in School of Rock, this season promises a rollicking good time–filled with high-flying adventure, hilarious hi-jinks, and passionate expression. Audiences will be rooting for these inspirational characters’ wildest dreams to come true!”
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.’
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.
Featuring a large ensemble cast of local performers, CATS will feature numerous TUTS alums, including Janet Gigliotti as Old Deuteronomy (South Pacific, Bye Bye Birdie, 42nd Street), Colton Bamber as Rum Tum Tugger (Something Rotten!, The Prom), Jaren Guerreiro as Macavity/Plato (Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical), Holly Collis Handford as Skimbleshanks (Cinderella), Jenna Lamb as Rumpleteazer (Cinderella), Haley Allen as Mungojerrie (Newsies, We Will Rock You), Kadia Kindersley as Jellylorum (Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical), Theo Budd as Alonzo (Titanic: A New Musical), and Anna Smith as Pouncival (We Will Rock You). TUTS debuts include Sarah Lane as Grizabella, Tia Gunhold as Victoria, October Penningrothas Mistoffelees, Veronica Phinney as Munkustrap, Isaac Aaron Johnson as Bustopher Jones/Gus, Hailey Fowler as Jennyanydots, Sofi Munson as Demeter, Haily Christie-Hoyle as Jemima, Manuela Palmieri as Bombalurina, Madeleine Petraroia as Admetus, Heather Thwaites as Hysperia, Anthea Lavergne as Cassandra, Viktor Atencia as Quaxo, Elijah Sam as Coricopat, Julia Kelleway as Tantomile, Fiona Jenkinsas Electra, and Owen CB Scott as Etcetera.
DATES:
July 5 to August 24, 2024
Previews: July 5-8, 2024
Opening Nights: July 10 & 11
All shows at 8pm, except on Fireworks Nights (July 20, 24 & 27) when shows begin at 7pm
School of Rock
Based on the hit 2003 film, School of Rock is a high-octane, family-friendly, feel-good show that showcases the strength of coming together and the irrepressible power of rock ‘n roll. 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.
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.
About Theatre Under the Stars (tuts.ca)
Theatre Under the Stars celebrates 84 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.