Malkin Bowl Theatre at Night

Theatre Under the Stars is an outdoor Vancouver theatre company which puts on musicals in Stanley Park in the summer. The plays are really good!

For the theatre’s official website, click tuts.ca. The 2024 season ran from July 5th until August 24th. Showing this year were the musicals CATS and School of Rock. The dates and shows for 2025’s season are to be confirmed.

This article includes info on the following topics:

Theatre Under the Stars at Stanley Park

Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) is an exceptional musical theatre company that offers live outdoor performances at Stanley Park’s Malkin Bowl. It’s located more or less in the middle of the park, at 610 Pipeline Road near the Stanley Park Pavilion.

The theatre has been a Lower Mainland tradition for decades with performances from early July through mid to late August each year.

TUTS offers wonderful professional-quality shows and is definitely a best place to be in Vancouver for entertainment. We highly recommend you check it out.

For tickets and full details about the shows, see the official Theatre Under the Stars website.

2024 TUTS Productions

Two musicals hit the stage in the summer of 2024! One was CATS and the other is School of Rock.

The two productions in the outdoor theatre alternated most evenings, meaning that each one played every other day for the nearly two-month run of shows.

Continue reading below for full details about the 2024 season. Or, for a detailed description about the shows and our experience, see our article about CATS and School of Rock in 2024.

For tickets, see the official Theatre Under the Stars website.

Theatre Under the Stars at Night — Mackin Bowl

CATS at Theatre Under the Stars

CATS tells the story of the Jellicle Tribe. This group of felines hold an annual meeting to decide which member gets to ascend to the Heaviside Layer.

The story of CATS is based on poetry by T.S. Eliot, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The musical is the fifth-longest running show in Broadway history, and the seventh-longest running show in the history of London’s West End!

The first previews were on July 5th and 6th, 2024, and opening night was July 10th. The show ran almost every second night until August 23rd.

For full details about this musical, click CATS.

School of Rock at Theatre Under the Stars

School of Rock is based on the film of the same name. The movie was released in 2003, and has since been turned into a musical with some new songs by Andrew Lloyd Weber. The story follows a substitute teacher (with dubious credentials) who has a passion for rock music.

In 2024, the first previews for the show were on July 7th and 8th, while opening night was July 11th. The show ran almost every second day until August 24th.

Click School of Rock for full details.

For tickets to the shows, see the official Theatre Under the Stars website.

Admission Prices

Regular admission prices for each TUTS show in 2024 ranged from $30 to $65 for adults (depending on the section). Children ages 5 to 12 were charged $30 and kids ages 4 and under entered for free if they sat on an adult’s lap.

Early bird pricing cost between $20 and $55 per person if bought between May 23rd and June 19th, 2024.

We expect pricing in 2025 to be comparable but with details to be confirmed.

For the latest details, see the official Theatre Under the Stars website.

Ticket Tips

Below are some tips to help you save money most years.

TIP #1: Tickets are sold at a reduced rate on Preview Nights during the first few days of the season. On these days the cost is only around $20 to $55 for adults and $20 for youth and students. If you want to go to a discounted show, buy your tickets for these nights.

TIP #2: Early-bird tickets cost $10 less than regular tickets. They are usually available until sometime in mid-June each year.

TIP #3: You can also order tickets over the phone by calling 1-800-514-3849. There is usually, however, an additional $5 charge per order when booking this way.

Theatre Under the Stars Venue

The Malkin Bowl is located in the middle of Stanley Park at 610 Pipeline Road. It’s within sight of the Stanley Park Pavilion and just a short walk south of the park’s main bus terminal near the Miniature Train.

The theatre is an attractive outdoor venue, complete with a licensed beverage and snack bar. Theatre seats are plastic outdoor patio chairs with cushions available by donation (and we recommend you get a cushion).

For tickets to the shows, see the official Theatre Under the Stars website.

Theatre Tips

Below are suggestions on how to make the most of your outdoor Stanley Park theatre experience.

TIP #1: Arrive early if you want to get parking within reasonable walking distance of the venue. If there early, you can go for a stroll and explore Stanley Park. Take a picnic, visit the Aquarium, go for a walk along the seawall and have a wonderful day!

TIP #2: Take a warm sweater or two, and/or a blanket. It gets cool most evenings by the end of the show (especially in August).

TIP #3: Cushions for seats are available by donation and are highly recommended. They are worth the extra few dollars and the money goes to a good cause.

TIP #4: Tickets are non-refundable. If you think there’s a chance of rain, either take a raincoat or pay the extra $5 at the time of booking for exchange insurance which allows you to reschedule for another evening (if you reschedule before the show starts).

TIP #5: As the sun goes down, you’ll also notice the little evening bugs that come out. Bring your own form of insect repellent to help keep those little critters away.