During summer nights, what do you actually do in those long evenings? Most of us would go have dinner somewhere, maybe a drink on a patio, and head home for different streaming services. But what if I tell you that Theatre Under the Stars is something that you should go see for yourself?

Every summer, Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) stages two full-length musicals at the Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park, alternating the performances throughout July and August. This upcoming year it’s going to be Sister Act and The Little Mermaid. It’s exactly what it sounds like, live musical theatre, outdoors, surrounding by the trees, and the sky slowly fading into the dark as the show unfolds.

The venue in the heart of Stanley Park, where you should be there early to get the glimpse of the park itself, walking around the seawall, getting something to eat. By the time you get settled into your seat, the afternoon goes by and the evening comes, even though it is summer, the night sky doesn’t make it cooler. In fact, it feels just right.

Earlier this year, I attend to one of the shows of TUTS, which performed Legally Blonde. The production of this musical is unlike any other I have seen, featuring local talent that consistently surprises audiences with the professionalism of dance, singing and performance. The performances of the musicals are genuinely engaging, not as amateur in the wat you would expect from a community theatre. The energy of those performances brings joy to people, clapping along and leaving the show continuing to hum to the songs they heard.

It’s one of those rare experiences that pulls you out of the house without making you do anything too much, but it is one of my own favourite memories from the summer that I would have the reason to tell you to try to attend to next year. Summer in Vancouver is short, Theatre Under the Stars is one way to actually use it. Not as another thing on your list, but as something that makes the season feel like it meant something.

Ben Chan kchan467@my.bcit.ca