Visitor Questions

Theatre Under the Stars is a not-for-profit society that entertains through popular musical theatre shows, while providing a vibrant outlet and training ground to develop amateur performers and technicians both young and old. TUTS values an atmosphere of inclusion and mentorship in order to build strong character and to promote positive values.

Theatre Under the Stars was founded in 1940, and has presented theatre at its outdoor venue in Stanley Park for over eighty years. Attending our performances is a time-honoured tradition for thousands of Lower Mainland families, and also attracts visitors from around the world – we entertain up to 40,000 patrons each summer.

Approximately 1000 at capacity. Everyone that buys a ticket gets an actual seat in the theatre, although some people choose instead to sit on the grassy slope on the west side of the theatre.

Malkin Bowl is a gently sloping grassy field.

Our Creative Advisory Committee and Board of Directors takes great care to select shows that are suitable for a broad audience, but we recognize that everyone has their own personal tastes. Prior to purchasing your tickets, we suggest you research the style and message of the show.

Audience Guidance

The Prom – This performance contains difficult subject matter and mature themes that could be triggering to some people. This includes religious and political commentary, suggestive language and some use of profanity.

Matida The Musical – Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is recommended for children 6 and up due to darker themes, exaggerated bullying and some language.

If you are interested in volunteering for TUTS, please visit the Volunteering page of our website to apply for Production (including crew) and Front of House positions.

If you are interested in being part of the cast, our auditions information is posted online in the fall before the upcoming season (i.e. Fall 2023 for 2024 season auditions).

We could not do the work we do without our amazing team of volunteers, so thank you for your interest, and we hope to hear from you soon!

Please check out our ‘Shows this Season‘ page for up to date information on upcoming shows or those currently playing.

If you would like to have flexibility with your tickets, purchase the $5 Exchange Insurance at the same time for the ability to change your tickets (one time) to a different evening.

No – unless you purchased EXCHANGE INSURANCE at the time you originally purchased your tickets. Otherwise, ticket sales are final and non-transferable except in the case of a cancelled performance.

When you order your tickets, you may choose to receive them as eTickets (which you can display on your mobile device or print at home) or to pick them up at the Box Office (go to the window marked Will Call on the evening of the event).

Please email support@etix.com with your order information. All successfully completed ticket transactions should receive an online ticket confirmation.

In the unlikely event a performance is cancelled due to extreme weather, ticketholders will be contacted with the opportunity to reschedule their tickets to a subsequent performance.

No. Tickets cannot be reserved without payment.

The Box Office will be open from 2pm until show time each day during the summer season. You may pick up your tickets anytime before the show.  The lobby area (including the Garden Café, the bar, etc) will open 60 minutes before show time.

Children under 5 years old are allowed to come to our shows for free, however they will need to sit on the lap of an adult.  If you wish to have a physical seat for them, you need to purchase a ticket (youth pricing is available).  Many families enjoy bringing a blanket with their young ones and sitting all together on the grassy hill.

If you purchased EXCHANGE INSURANCE then yes! Otherwise, tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. Please click here to read about our exchange insurance policy.

Our shows go on rain or shine! We distribute complimentary ponchos to patrons in the event of steady rain just before or during the performance.

Yes! There is an accessible drop-off location close to the theatre entrance and limited accessible parking close by. There are accessible washroom stalls on-site as well as in the Stanley Park Dining Pavilion, just off-site.

TUTS is also proud to be a participating venue in the Access 2 program. Cardholders who wish to purchase tickets can contact the TUTS Box Office on 604-734-1917 or buy their tickets in-person at the TUTS Box Office during the show run. Location details can be found on our Ticketing page.

Each year, TUTS partners with VocalEye to provide a live Audio Described performance for people who are blind and partially sighted. We also offer a relaxed performance, which may be a more comfortable fit for audience members who are neurodivergent.

More information about our accessibility facilities and accessible performances can be found here.

The lobby doors open at 7:00pm, and the seating area will open at 7:30pm. The show will start at 8:00pm except for Fireworks Nights (2023 dates: July 22nd, 26th, and 29th) when the show starts at 7:00pm. On these evenings, the lobby doors will open at 6:00pm, and the seating area will open at 6:30pm.

Yes – however, ushers may require you to wait to be seated until an appropriate moment in the performance.  We recommend you give yourself at least half an hour or more to park, walk to the theatre, find your seat, et cetera as the park can be very busy in the summer.

You may leave and enter the theatre with a valid ticket stub.

Come as you are! Casual dress is recommended with additional layers to add as the night progresses.

We do occasionally host themed nights where audience members may wish to dress up specially – keep an eye out for these special dates on our show pages!

Yes! You can eat in your seat or on your blanket on the grass. Theatre Under the Stars also has a Garden Café with hot and cold food, a Hot Drinks bar featuring hot chocolate, coffee and tea and a TUTS wine/beer bar featuring beer, red or white wines and coolers. For a more extensive menu and pricing, click here.

You can eat at the Garden Café, which is located within our site (view menu selections). Alternatively, right across from the Theatre entrance is Stanley’s Bar & Grill, located in the Stanley Park Pavilion. To make a reservation or view their menu, please visit their website.

We have portable washrooms on-site, and there are also regular washrooms in the Stanley Park Dining Pavilion just off-site.

There is a baby changing area in the women’s washroom at the Stanley Park Dining Pavilion.

In the event of steady rain just before or during a performance, we distribute complimentary TUTS ponchos as needed (although we suggest bringing your own rain gear just in case, if skies are cloudy on the night you plan to attend). Umbrellas are not to be used in the seats as they may block another patron’s view.

If you are concerned about the weather on the day of the performance you plan to attend, and you have purchased EXCHANGE INSURANCE with your ticket(s), you can exchange your tickets for a  future performance. NOTE that this exchange must be made before the start of the performance you originally bought tickets for (8pm, or 7pm on Fireworks Nights).

If the weather makes it unsafe to begin or continue a performance, ticketholders will be contacted with an opportunity to rebook for a subsequent performance.

For our 2023 season, Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical will run approximately 2 and a half hours (including one 15-minute intermission). The runtime for The Prom is approximately 2 and a half hours (including one 15-minute intermission).

Yes, although the grounds are uneven. Assistance may be necessary. We have volunteer ushers who are happy to help.

No. This is due to a combination of copyright, safeguarding, and other issues. Enjoy the show in the moment, and check our social media for professional production photos you can share afterwards!

Only service animals are permitted at Malkin Bowl.

Yes. It is advisable to dress accordingly and bring insect repellent with you. Please be mindful of other patrons during application of any repellents or lotions.

No. The fireworks display happens at English Bay. You can walk there following the show in about 15-20 minutes.

No.

During the season we sell TUTS merchandise in our on-site Guest Services tent. We sell blankets, sweatshirts, water bottles, cards, bookmarks, magnets, tote bags and toques.

Our Box Office and concessions stands accept cash, credit, and debit cards.

Pay parking is available throughout Stanley Park. Please see the City of Vancouver website for information about their parking lots and fees.

We will have bike racks inside the perimeter fencing. Please do not leave your bike attached to any other gates or fences!

Taxis are able to drive into Stanley Park. As it is very busy after the show, it is best to arrange in advance and ask them to pick you up at the parking area beside the Stanley Park Dining Pavilion (the exact address is 610 Pipeline Road).

The #19 Stanley Park/Metrotown bus will take you into and out of the park. You can route-plan on the TransLink website; enter 610 Pipeline Road or Malkin Bowl as your destination or departure address to get specific bus times. When leaving the theatre you can catch the bus at the Bus Loop behind the Stanley Park Dining Pavilion.