Theatre Under the Stars to Present WEST SIDE STORY & Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST This Summer

Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) invites audiences to fall in love this summer with Disney's Beauty and the Beast & West Side Story, running July 6 - August 20, 2016 (performances alternate evenings) at Stanley Park's picturesque Malkin Bowl. A beloved Vancouver tradition since 1940, TUTS' two-show subscription packs go on sale TODAY through May 6 (single tickets on sale May 17).

"The summer of 2015 was our most successful on record: We welcomed more audiences out to the Malkin Bowl than at any point in our more than 75-year history," says Naveen Kapahi, TUTS Board President. "We are therefore thrilled to announce the return of both of last season's much-celebrated directors! Shel Piercy will follow-up his beloved Oliver! with the Disney classic, Beauty and the Beast; and Sarah Rodgers, who created 2015's infectiously fun Hairspray, will direct West Side Story."

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

Disney's Beauty and the Beast is an enchanting musical for the entire family, and the first Disney film ever to make the leap to stage. The 'tale as old as time' 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 "Be Our Guest," "Gaston," and the titular ballad. The stage version includes 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.

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."

Following on its success and popularity when introduced last season, TUTS will once again offer a two-show subscription pack - allowing audiences to secure their seats to both productions for one great price. On sale now through May 6, subscriptions are $70 for adults, $50 for children & youth, and include Premium tickets to both productions, souvenir programmes, and rain insurance for both nights.

Subscriptions are available by visiting tuts.ca or by calling 1-877-840-0457 until May 6. Single Tickets go on sale May 17.

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