Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) invites audiences to fall in love this summer with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and West Side Story, running July 6 to Aug. 20 at Stanley Park’s picturesque Malkin Bowl.
On alternating evenings, audiences will be swept away by these classic love stories — one, a beloved fairytale brimming with magic and mystery, and the other an electrifying story of forbidden love in the unforgiving streets of 1950’s New York.
This year, Langley resident Kaitlyn Yott will play the role of Margarita in West Side Story, supporting Maria as a member of the Sharks.
Yott has also appeared in TUTS’ Shrek the Musical as the Blue Fairy Godmother and aspires to become a professional theatre actress.
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.
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 McMillan (Mrs. Potts), and Steven Greenfield (Cogsworth) and Victor Hunter (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 re-imagining 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 passionate work was created by Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim.
Matt Montgomery and Jennifer Gillis 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 production Bye Bye Birdie.
Directed by Sarah Rodgers, West Side Story features choreography by Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg (2015 recipient of the Chrystal Dance Prize) with musical direction by Chris D. King.
All shows are at 8 p.m., except on Fireworks Nights, when shows begin at 7 p.m.
Tickets prices range from $30 to $45, and are available online at tuts.ca or by calling 1-877-840-0457.