TUTS Announces Week-Long Hold Over of 2016 Season

Due to overwhelming demand, Theatre Under the Stars' (TUTS) acclaimed productions of Disney's Beauty and the Beast & West Side Story will extend their runs by one week. These seven newly added performances will see the shows run at Stanley Park's picturesque Malkin Bowl (on alternating evenings) through to August 27, 2016.

"We are deeply appreciative of the outpouring of support from our audiences, both first-time attendees and long-time TUTS fans, for this season's performances of Disney's Beauty and the Beast and West Side Story," says Naveen Kapahi, TUTS Board President. "This hold over marks three years in a row that we have extended our performance run, signaling an unmistakable rise in TUTS' popularity. With seven additional performances, we are delighted to invite even more patrons to share in this cherished annual tradition of musical theatre magic."

TUTS' 2016 season features two of Broadway's most universally acclaimed, smash-hit musicals:

Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the first Disney film ever to make the leap to stage, follows Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, a young prince transformed by a wicked spell. If the Beast can learn to be loved, the curse will end and he will be restored. But time is running out! A feast for the senses, the treasured production is abundant with lavish sets, sumptuous costumes, and spectacular musical numbers, including all of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's songs from the Academy Award-winning film, as well as new songs by Menken and Tim Rice.

Making his TUTS debut is bass-baritone Peter Monaghan as the Beast, performing alongside Jaime Piercy as Belle. Joining them are Nicholas Bradbury (LeFou), Dane Szohner (Gaston), Sheryl Anne Wheaton (Mrs. Potts), and Steven Greenfield (Cogsworth). Victor Hunter, returning to TUTS following his hilarious portrayal of Lord Farquaad in 2014's Shrek: The Musical, will star as Lumiere.

This production is directed by Shel Piercy and choreographed by Shelley Stewart Hunt, with musical direction by Wendy BRoss Stuart.

West Side Story is a dynamic reimagining of Romeo and Juliet in the turbulent streets of 1950's New York. As turf war rages between two rival gangs, a pair of star-crossed lovers find themselves caught in the middle - and tragically wrenched between two worlds. The beautiful, passionate, and heartbreaking work was created by the dream team of Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, and Stephen Sondheim. Jerome Robbins' kinetic, explosive choreographic style remains intrinsically tied to the musical and to its exhilarating songbook, which includes such gems as "Cool," "America," "I Feel Pretty," and "Tonight."

Matt Montgomery and Coquitlam native Jennifer Gillis - both in their TUTS debut - will star as Tony and Maria. Also on stage are Alexandra Lainfiesta (Anita), Alen Dominguez (Bernardo), and Daniel James White (Riff), who was recognized with an Ovation Award nomination for his portrayal of Albert in the 2011 TUTS production Bye Bye Birdie.

Directed by Sarah Rodgers, West Side Story features choreography by TUTS newcomer Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg (2015 recipient of the Chrystal Dance Prize) with musical direction by Chris D. King.

About Theatre Under the Stars (tuts.ca) - Since the 1940s, Theatre Under the Stars has brought soaring works of musical theatre to 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.

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