TUTS Invites Audiences to a Summer Season of Pure Imagination and Infectious Positivity

TUTS Invites Audiences to a Summer Season of
Pure Imagination and Infectious Positivity with
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Legally Blonde The Musical

Two musical megahits will light up the stage at Stanley Park’s magical Malkin Bowl

TUTS presents a positively scrumptious summer season with the premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the anticipated return of Legally Blonde The Musical, on stage June 27 to August 16, 2025, at Stanley Park’s majestic Malkin Bowl. A Vancouver tradition since 1940, TUTS’ early bird tickets are on sale now through June 11.

“We are so pleased to bring Legally Blonde The Musical – one of our most requested shows – back to the TUTS stage to dazzle guests with Elle’s wit and warmth, and to introduce families and theatregoers of all ages to a world of awe-inspiring discovery in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” says TUTS General Manager Kevin Woo. “In an era of uncertainty, we hope TUTS is a beacon of positive energy, where audiences – both returning and new – can relax, unwind, and fully immerse themselves in an evening of lighthearted fun and sparkling laughter this summer.”

Based on Roald Dahl’s fantastical 1960’s children’s classic, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory made its musical debut in London’s West End in 2013. The larger-than-life production then hopped across the pond to the bright lights of Broadway in 2017, before touring across the U.S. and Australia. Bursting with whimsical melodies, the musical features a number of beloved songs made famous by the 1971 film adaptation, including “The Candy Man,” “Pure Imagination,” and “The Oompa Loompa Song,” in addition to a collection of fun-filled songs unique to the stage production.

The story follows the curious adventure of young Charlie Bucket, after he wins a coveted golden ticket to take a behind the scenes tour of the mysterious Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory. Charlie and his fellow ticket winners – gluttonous Augustus Gloop, spoiled Veruca Salt, boastful Violet Beauregarde, and maniacal Mike Teavee – are amazed by Wonka’s mouthwatering creations. As they compete for Wonka’s grand prize, each contestant ends up getting – in strange but delightful ways – just what they deserve.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will be directed by Peter Jorgensen, who was last seen performing on the TUTS stage in Big: The Musical in 2005, and choreographed by Keri Minty, who last choreographed for TUTS’ Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2010 and co-choreographed for TUTS’ Oliver! in 2015. Sean Bayntun will return for the third year in a row as a TUTS Music Director, following his work with The Prom in 2023 and CATS in 2024.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will feature a talented roster of local performers, including Peter Ricardo as Willy Wonka, Henry Sudds as Charlie Bucket, Angus Silva as Augustus Gloop, Elle Hanson as Violet Beauregarde, and Callum Templeton as Mike Teavee – who make their TUTS debuts – as well as Mana Nakamura as Veruca Salt, who was last seen in Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical. Also making their TUTS debuts are Richard Newman as Grandpa Joe, Imelda Gaborno as Mrs. Bucket, Sophie O’Brien as Grandma Josephine, Bernardo Arana as Grandpa George, Twyla Raffé-Devine as Grandma Georgina, David Johnston as Mr. Beauregarde, Lynnéa Bartel Nickel as Mr. Salt, Jennie Grenelle as Mrs. Teavee, Skylar Li as Mrs. Green, Nicolas Lam as Jerry Jubilee, Hanna Mack as Cherry Sundae, and ensemble members: Pietro Lepore, Jasmine Lemieux, Max McLarnon, Ryder MacInnes, Celina Rodriguez, Audrey Lau, Adela Drabek, Julia Halabourda, Sophia Naumov, and Jocelyn Mah. The cast will also welcome returning TUTS alumni Claire Stewart as Mrs. Gloop (Newsies) and ensemble members Ema Lake (School of Rock) and Vienna Vasquez(Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical).

Last seen on the TUTS stage in 2014, Legally Blonde The Musical makes its celebrated return to the Malkin Bowl this summer. The fun-loving, feel-good celebration of girl power first made its Broadway debut in 2007, earning seven Tony nominations, before opening in the West End in 2010, and winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical. It has since toured the U.S. and the UK and been mounted on countless stages across Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, and Oceania.

Based on the 2001 cult film, the fan-favourite musical follows sorority girl Elle Woods, who is determined to win back her college sweetheart after getting dumped on the eve of her graduation – even if that means following him to Harvard Law School. Upon arrival, Elle is immediately dismissed as a ditzy blonde by her classmates and faculty due to her bubbly personality and hot pink ensembles. But thanks to her unabashed optimism and positive encouragement from her new friends, Elle proves it takes more than just book smarts to win the case.

Legally Blonde The Musical will be directed by Jayme Armstrong, who returns to TUTS after her past TUTS performances in Kiss Me, Kate! in 2002 and Oklahoma! in 2007, and choreographed by Lyndsey Britten, who starred in TUTS’ productions of King and I in 2003, Shrek The Musical in 2014 and Hairspray in 2015, and served as Assistant Director/Choreographer for Newsies in 2019. They will be joined by Music Director Eliza De Castro, TUTS’ 2023 Music Directing Fellow for The Prom and Music Director for School of Rock in 2024.

Playing the lead role of Elle Woods is Abby Woodhouse, who makes her TUTS debut. Also appearing on the TUTS stage for the first time includes Nathaniel Johnson as Emmett, Connor Hawkins at Warner, Viviana Renteria as Vivienne, Heather Mislang as Enid, Madison Simms as Margot, Lexi Limin as Pilar, and ensemble members: Romar Dungo, Alex Villaverde Lopez, Sam Hall, Sophie McKenzie, Jessica O’Brien-Visbisky, Aaron Cheung, and Teagan Wong.

The cast will also welcome returning TUTS alumni Madeleine Suddaby as Paulette (Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, Anything Goes, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Peter Jorgensen as Professor Callahan (Big: The Musical), Angella Cody as Brooke Wyndham (School of Rock, The Prom), Julia Kellewayas Chutney (CATS), Madison Raybould as Serena (The Prom), and ensemble members: Ava Maddison (The Prom), Brett Williams (We Will Rock You), Andrea Pizarro (Mary Poppins), Tiana Pazdirek (42nd Street), Viktor Atencia (CATS), Amanda Lourenço (The Prom, Something Rotten!, Cinderella), Owen CB Scott (CATS), and Thomas Schultes (Something Rotten!, Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical).

SPECIAL EVENTS AT TUTS 2025:

VocalEye Performance – July 25

TUTS will partner with VocalEye to provide a live description performance of Legally Blonde. VocalEye performances benefit people who are blind, partially sighted or visually impaired. 

Relaxed Performances – July 28 & 29

TUTS will partner with the Canucks Autism Network to host a relaxed performance for each production. A relaxed performance is a show adapted to suit people who might require a more relaxed environment when going to the theatre, including (but not limited to) individuals who are on the autism spectrum or have sensory processing differences.

PAL Pass the Hat Night – August 8 & 9

TUTS will partner with PAL Vancouver to collect donations at a performance for each production. Co-founded in 2001, PAL Vancouver provides affordable housing to longstanding members of Metro Vancouver’s performing arts community.

TUTS, in partnership with Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility, is also proud to introduce enhanced audio accessibility for patrons who are Hard of Hearing. With the user-friendly Betterear app, guests with Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids or cochlear implants can enjoy clear, real-time audio streamed directly to their own smartphones, available for all performances throughout the season. For more information, visit tuts.ca/visitor-info/accessibility/

Early bird tickets are now available through June 11, starting at $35. For tickets and further information, visit tuts.ca

About Theatre Under the Stars (tuts.ca)
Theatre Under the Stars celebrates 85 years of theatre in 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.

 

LISTING INFORMATION	TUTS presents Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Legally Blonde The Musical
Dates:	June 27 to August 16, 2025 Previews: June 27-30, 2025 Opening Nights: July 2 & 3, 2025 All shows at 8pm, except on Fireworks Nights (July 19, 23 & 26) when shows begin at 7pm
Ticket prices:	Early Bird Tickets $35-$59 (On Sale May 22-June 11) Regular Tickets $35–$69 (On Sale June 12)
Address:	Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park 610 Pipeline Rd. Vancouver, BC
Box Office:	tuts.ca or 1-800-514-3849
Website:	tuts.ca