Every tip from someone who never misses a performance.
PLANNING
Choosing A Date
Outdoor Broadway shows begin in May and run through October. Start times vary. They’ll start later in the summer due to the heat and the sun, however the sun sets sooner than the weather app says because you’re deep in the canyon. Start times are as follows: May – Mid August 8:45pm, Mid-End of Aug 8:30pm, September 8:00pm, October 7:30pm. The weather in July and early August is run by Hades himself, so just be warned that if it’s not pouring rain, it’s wicked hot. Don’t let that scare you off, though, I’ve got all the tricks lined up and ready.
Choosing Seats
The seating arrangement is gold. No pillars to get in the way, very open, and you can hear everything. You can also see everything from anywhere EXCEPT the very bottom right side – you just can’t see the rock area. The front and center seats host a detailed view of the very beads of sweat on the actors’ faces, but if you like taking in all the action on the right and left without whipping your hair back and forth, then sit farther back and/or off to the side. But really, it’s hard to go wrong in choosing a seat.
Children
Tickets are available for ages 3 and up! Arrange a sitter for any babies, toddlers, and kids that won’t be attending the show. Tuachan conveniently has their own childcare called Showcare here. Before buying your kid a ticket, ask yourself “Would this story keep my child entertained for hours?” and “Is there content in here that I don’t want them to see/hear?” Ask these questions from other parents that have seen the show. We hope to update you on the most kid-friendly shows this year soon.
Spotty Cell Service
Relive the 90’s with the cell service in the auditorium. Arrange solid plans with your friends and sitters before you’re seated, so you don’t find yourself sweating bullets in your seat at 11:00 at night with no cell service when you told the sitter you’d be back at 10:30. (Sorry again, 12-year-old Abby.)
Dinner
Tuacahn Café opens at 5:00pm each night if you want to eat dinner in this scenic backdrop without worry of being late for the show.
Weather Policy
St. George weather is always sunny, except when suddenly it’s down-pouring, hailing, and flooded. The weather gets real fun the end of July/ beginning of August. The thunder in the canyon sounds incredible, but the actors don’t appreciate the lightning so much on an open stage. Tuacahn rarely cancel shows due to weather, so if you plan your trip in Monsoon season, bring a poncho (for real) and may the odds be ever in your favor. You can often buy Ticket protection for $5 to cover some things, but please read the Ticket Policy before you send Aunt Karen to the Box Office for a refund.
BEFORE THE SHOW
Attire
It’s casual attire. Leave your necktie at home, unless you look positively dashing in a necktie, then by all means, proceed. Check the weather before you go, but don’t believe it 100%.
May, September, October
Dress in layers. If the night starts off warm, you may still be shivering after that sun sets.
June, July, August
Dress light. Avoid long socks and tight jeans. July and early August – bring a non-annoying hand fan or you’ll be fighting over the playbill “fan”. If the weather looks grumpy, bring a poncho. No theatre wants the hassle of cancelling shows, so unless there’s some malicious lightning, etc, plan on sitting through some rain. Read the ticket policy.
Other Things to Bring
A fan if it’s hot. A poncho if it might rain. The seats are built weather-tough, meaning they’re not movie-theater level of comfort, so bring a seat cushion (or rent one there). Better yet, I like to bring a folded blanket, that way I’m covered if the temperature drops too much.
You CAN bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks into the theater. For some reason, grapes taste amazing in the canyon. Freeze them if it’s extra hot. Apples and noisy wrappers are annoying, though. No coolers are permitted, but I just bring a tote bag of goodies to share. Although you can’t pass up the smell of those candied nuts and popcorn. And come July, you’ll be glad you gave into those frozen lemonades calling your name.
Driving
They don’t open the auditorium until fifteen minutes to showtime. No need to plan to be extra early. But if you are, there is plenty to do.
Scenery
The drive to Tuacahn is breathtaking and the campus is delightful with all its red rock scenery, water features, landscaping, and beautiful buildings. Enjoy it while you drive in because it’ll be too dark to appreciate it on the way out.
Parking
There is plenty of parking. I’ve never struggled to find a spot. Since I like to make a quick getaway afterward to relieve the sitter, I always back into my spot. Remember to take note of your parking row number as it’s more confusing once it gets dark. Valet parking is also available: $8 in advance or $10 when you arrive.
Mingling About
The plaza is a great place to mingle about. Peruse the gift shop, check out the concessions, chat with the friendly staff, stick your head in one of those paintings you stick your head in. For bonus points, stand several minutes looking over the mural of past shows and count how many times they’ve performed “The Little Mermaid”. There’s sculptures, water features, (Tuacahn loves their water features), and just a bunch of fun spots for photos.
Bathroom Trip
The ladies’ bathroom at intermission gets a line that would put the DMV to shame. To avoid the line, go before the show and/or check your playbill for the last song before intermission. On the final note, stand up and head out. Pro tip: There are some bathrooms other places on campus. I’m not sure of the status of those due to the building changes lately, but I bet if you slipped a couple Red Vines to one of the staff, they’ll spill the beans.
THE SHOW
The shortest section of this article, as words alone could never do these shows justice. You have to see, hear, and feel these shows in this canyon in all of their wondrous entertainment.
Acting and Singing
Absolutely stellar. Auditions are held across the country to bring the best talent to St. George. Watch this clip from the 2017 production of Newsies.
Unique Special Effects
One of the perks of an outdoor venue is including all of the elements of nature. Tuacahn will rarely pass up a chance to light stuff on fire or flood the stage. You heard me. Sometimes both (see below). They’ll also usually include a fun surprise during the finale.
Spectacular Canyon Views
You can’t paint a backdrop as beautiful as Mother Nature’s. The lights illuminating the cliffs and the music ringing through the mountainside is something to behold. They think outside the stage as actors magically pop up in the cliffs and streams behind the stage.
AFTER THE SHOW
There is one road into this canyon, so it’s going to take a take time both to exit the auditorium and to get on the road home. When you’re planning your night, be sure to account for extra time for the crowd to thin. If you’re not among the first few out, you’ll be waiting in the car for your chance to back out or feed into the exit lane, so you may as well enjoy the extra few minutes on campus.
Clean up after yourself
For every leftover cup or playbill you pick up, your arch nemesis hits a red light. It’s true. Call them up the following week and ask about the traffic lately. You’ll see.
How to courteously make a quick exit
Planning ahead: Pick a seat on the upper left seating area, nearest the aisle. Back into your parking spot when you arrive. Take note of your parking row number and location. Keep your seating area tidy during the show so cleanup is quick. Don’t leave before the “curtain call” where the actors come forward and bow. Be courteous to the actors and audience and wait until after it’s everyone is done bowing. With these tips, you’ll be ahead of the crowd just fine. No need to rush.
Photos with the actors after the show
Most of the actors will come out and take photos with the guests. The actors meet at the candied nut stand and it usually takes them ten minutes before they can make their way there. This part is so fun for adults and kids alike. They strike the best poses with you.
