“
This Summer, Stanley Park Gets a Golden Ticket“
Hello hello Jaysuits, theatre lovers and summer stargazers! It’s that golden time of year again when the sun stretches its rays late into the night (9:30pm at the time of writing…)
After last summer’s riotous romp through Jellicle alleyways and electrified classrooms ; shoutout to CATS and School of Rock for those unforgettable nights. Theatre Under the Stars is back and ready to outdo itself. This year’s dynamic duo is as iconic as it is irresistible: the sweet, zany world of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory paired with the fearless fabulousness of Legally Blonde The Musical.
Two big-stage spectacles
One starlit park
And a whole lot of heart.
Both shows are stacked with powerhouse local talent and a creative team that understands this city’s love for spectacle with soul.
So as tradition goes, here’s a deep dive into this year’s double feature lineup , what it’s about and who’s behind the magic. Let’s unwrap this summer’s theatrical treats, one musical at a time.
🍫 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory🍫
L-to-R-Callum-Templeton-Angus-Silva-Peter-Ricardo-Henry-Sudds-Elle-Hanson-Mana-Nakamura.-Photo-credit-Emily-Cooper
Honestly, between this golden ticket adventure and Vancouver’s Ice Cream Festival currently turning this city into one giant sugar playground; it’s been hard to tell where the Wonka world ends and real life begins. The only thing missing is a river of chocolate flowing down Robson (and no I’m not talking about the feces…); but hey, summer’s just begun.
Directed by Peter Jorgensen , whose previous TUTS appearances include the nostalgic charm of Big: The Musical, this new staging feels poised to explore the dissonance between delight and danger that makes this story so potent, especially now.
There’s an edge to this version. Peter Ricardo, stepping into the role of Willy Wonka, brings a fresh unpredictability to the part , one that might lean more toward the myth of genius than the twinkle-eyed magician we grew up with. For those still mildly recovering from Johnny Depp’s pale-faced, unsettling take in the Tim Burton version, this Wonka lands somewhere entirely different, less Gene Wilder, more Silicon Valley cult-of-personality, if the factory were designed by an algorithm and run on sugar and secrets.
Peter Ricardo as Willy Wonka, Photo credit Emily-Cooper
When the famously reclusive Wonka finally opens his factory doors, Charlie and four other, exasperating Golden Ticket winners; Angus Silva as Augustus Gloop, Elle Hanson as Violet Beauregarde, Callum Templeton as Mike Teavee, and Mana Nakamura as Veruca Salt, set off on the adventure of a lifetime. They’re accompanied by the necessary band of eccentric adults: Charlie’s tall tale-telling Grandpa Joe (Richard Newman) and the overly devoted parental brigade, Mrs. Gloop (Claire Stewart), Mr. Beauregarde (David Johnston), Mrs. Teavee (Jennie Grenelle), and Mr. Salt (Lynnéa Bartel Nickel).
L-to-R: Elle Hanson, Angus Silva, Henry Sudds, Callum Templeton, Mana Nakamura. Photo-credit-Emily-Cooper
At the heart of it all is Charlie Bucket, played by newcomer Henry Sudds. Early word is that Sudds brings a grounded curiosity to the role, someone who doesn’t just want the golden ticket, but understands its weight. Surrounded by a chorus of extravagantly flawed characters (Augustus, Veruca, Violet, and Mike) Charlie becomes the quiet center of a world teetering between joy and judgment.
As Act Two pulls us deeper into the mind-bending marvels of Wonka’s factory, the young ensemble steps into the spotlight; and they’re impossible to miss. Adela Drabek, Julia Halabourda, Ema Lake, Audrey Lau, Jasmine Lemieux, Pietro Lepore, Skylar Li, Jocelyn Mah, Max McLarnon, Ryder MacInnes, Sophia Naumov, Celina Rodriguez, and Vienna Vasquez transform into a whirlwind of Oompa Loompas and mischievous squirrels, injecting so much joy and fizz into the show, you could practically hear the audience’s collective sugar rush, likely led by rows of proud parents. And for good reason. Minty’s choreography bursts across the stage with the crisp precision of a Busby Berkeley lineup, reimagined under the open sky.
Brian Ball’s deceptively simple set uses suggestion rather than literal representation to spark our imagination. Robert Sondergaard’s lighting shifts seamlessly from the dreary Bucket household to the technicolor wonderland of the chocolate realm, while Brad Danyluk’s sound design adds playful texture.
Christine Reimer’s costumes are a standout, giving each Golden Ticket winner a distinct, exaggerated style; from Veruca Salt’s bratty opulence to Violet Beauregarde’s competitive swagger, The Oompa Loompas are a particular triumph, Loompas bursting onto the stage with the magical precision and flock like pattern of Seagulls.
The production features original stage compositions alongside the 1971 film’s iconic numbers; yes, “Pure Imagination” will absolutely echo through the towering trees of Stanley Park. And with returning Music Director Sean Bayntun at the helm; fresh off “CATS” and “The Prom”, expect a soundscape that stretches wide under our open summer sky.
The score weaves the beloved Pure Imagination and The Candy Man with new compositions, all under the sharp musical direction of Sean Bayntun. In an interview with Stir Vancouver, Bayntun highlighted the eclectic influences behind the music; Augustus Gloop’s Austrian polka, Veruca’s Tchaikovsky-esque ballet motifs, and Mike Teavee’s industrial techno, all combining to create a a playful, anachronistic soundscape.
Performing outdoors at Malkin Bowl adds its own magic. As Bayntun noted, the natural backdrop of Stanley Park; birdsong, rustling leaves, even the occasional plane overhead, lends an unexpected charm.
But what makes this story sing in 2025 isn’t just the spectacle. It’s the question it slips in beneath the frosting: Who gets to dream? What happens when kindness feels like rebellion? And in a culture of scarcity and competition, is there still value in simply doing the right thing even when no one’s watching?
The Malkin Bowl is no stranger to transformation. But this summer, it becomes something closer to a threshold into a world where absurdity meets morality, and kids get to challenge the rules of grown-up logic. It’s not just candy. It’s theatre as a mirror.
So if you’re feeling disillusioned or just a little too online, this might be your chance to unplug, step outside, and re-enter the world through a different lens. One wrapped in gold foil and strange, bubbling laughter.
LISTING INFORMATION:
TUTS presents Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Legally Blonde The Musical
DATES: June 27 to August 16, 2025
Previews: June 27 to 30, 2025
Opening Nights: July 2 & 3, 2025
All shows at 8:00 PM, except Fireworks Nights (July 19, 23 & 26) when shows begin at 7:00 PM
TICKETS: Early Bird: $35-$59 (On sale May 22 to June 11)
Regular: $35-$69 (On sale June 12)
VENUE: Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park
610 Pipeline Road, Vancouver
BOX OFFICE: tuts.ca or 1-800-514-3849
WEBSITE: tuts.ca
© Theatre Under the Stars Musical Society 2025