Entertaining Vancouver audiences since 1940, Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) once again brings a pair of musical masterpieces to Malkin Bowl with its 2026 season, featuring Sister Act and Disney’s The Little Mermaid, alternating on stage July 3-August 22, 2026.
“As we celebrate our 86th year under the stars, we couldn’t be more thrilled to bring two heartwarming Broadway musicals to Vancouver audiences,” says Kevin Woo, TUTS General Manager. “This summer, we’re sharing the stories of two fearless trailblazers who refuse to be silenced—one finding her voice in the most unexpected of places, the other longing to be part of a world beyond her own. From the infectiously joyful spirit of Sister Act to the breathtaking wonder of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, this is a season about bold risks, breaking boundaries, and the courage it takes to find your voice and unleash your true potential.”
Based on the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, Sister Act finds aspiring disco diva Deloris Van Cartier, after witnessing a hit involving her gangster boyfriend, being rushed into witness protection at a nearby convent, The Holy Order of the Little Sisters of Our Mother of Perpetual Faith. In hiding under the wimple of Sister Mary Clarence, Deloris gets tasked with taking over the convent’s floundering choir. Her energy, determination and talent turns the choir into a regional sensation–encouraging her sisters to find their inner light, and ultimately rediscovering the strength of her own.
Sister Act will be directed and choreographed by Peter Jorgensen, who returns in 2026 after directing TUTS’ Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2025) and starring as Professor Callahan in Legally Blonde The Musical (2025). Sean Bayntun will return for the fourth year in a row as a TUTS Music Director, following his work on The Prom (2023), CATS (2024), and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2025).
Based on the beloved animated-classic, Disney’s The Little Mermaid take the audience under the sea to find the watery world of Ariel, a curious, young mermaid who dreams of a world above the sea. After saving the life of Prince Eric from a disastrous shipwreck, Ariel strikes a dangerous bargain with Ursula the manipulative sea witch, exchanging her voice for a chance to be human. With the support of her loyal sea friends–Flounder, Sebastian, and Scuttle–can Ariel win Eric’s heart and break the curse with a true love’s kiss before it’s too late.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid will be directed and choreographed by Nicol Spinola, who returns to TUTS for the first time since choreographing TUTS’ 2022 production of Something Rotten! Additional TUTS credits include: choreography for Mary Poppins (2017) and Cinderella (2018) and performance roles in Annie Get Your Gun (2008), Annie (2009), and Hairspray! (2015). Spinola will be joined by Music Director Brent Hughes, who has previously music directed Cinderella (2018) and Something Rotten! (2022).
photo: Shawn Bukhari
On sale until May 7th, TUTS two-show subscription pack secures seats to both productions for one price; $99 for adults and $69 for youth ages 5-12, including premium tickets to both productions, souvenir programs, and exchange insurance – protecting against weather or change of plans – for both nights.
Theatre Under the Stars presents Sister Act and Disney’s The Little Mermaid, alternating July 3-August 22, 2026 at Stanley Park’s Malkin Bowl, 610 Pipeline Road
Subscriptions are available online at tuts.ca or order by phone at 1-800-514-3849 until May 7, 2026. Early bird single tickets, from $35, will be on sale from May 19-June 20, 2026.