Join us for the Virginia Theatre Festival 2025!

Schedule of Events:

Into the Woods

Join us on a journey into the woods as beloved fairy tale characters Little Red Ridinghood, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and many more spill from the pages of the storybook on to the stage in Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical masterpiece. An unforgettable score and enchanting story expose the complicated consequences of happily ever after. The production will be directed and choreographed by UVA alum and VTF veteran Matthew Steffens, whose credits include the acclaimed 2023 VTF production of Cabaret and who served as Associate Choreographer on the most recent Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Into the Woods. 

Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Book by James Lapine

Directed and Choreographed by Matthew Steffens

Musical Direction by Ian Miller

Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine

Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick

Casting by Katja Zarolinski, CSA with Associate Casting Director Nathan Francis

Post-show discussion featuring cast and creative team members; moderated by Artistic Director Jenny Wales. at July 1, 7:30pm

Dates and times:

Friday, June 27 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, June 28 at 2:00 PM
Saturday, June 28 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, June 29 at 2:00 PM
Tuesday, July 1 at 7:30 PM w/ post-show discussion
Wednesday, July 2 at 7:30 PM
Thursday, July 3 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, July 5 at 2:00 PM
Saturday, July 5 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, July 6 at 2:00 PM

Location: Culbreth Theatre 109 Culbreth Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903.

The Heart Sellers

Pulitzer Prize finalist Lloyd Suh’s sweet, funny, and deeply moving play highlights the experiences of two 20-something immigrant women, one from the Philippines and one from South Korea, who meet, by chance, in a grocery store on Thanksgiving night. Set in 1973, eight years after the passing of the Hart–Celler act which abolished immigration quotas in America, the play finds Luna and Jane bonding over their common longing for the homes they have left behind and the excitement of what lies ahead in a new land. Filled with heart and humor, the pair share their hopes, fears, laughs, dreams, and a bottle or two of wine over the course of an evening that illuminates their experience as immigrants and asks, “Would you give up your heart to make a new home?” 

by Lloyd Suh

Directed by Desdemona Chiang

Casting by Katja Zarolinski, CSA

July 12 at 7:30 PM – Post-show discussion featuring cast and creative team members; moderated by Professor Sylvia Chong.

July 17 at 7:30 PM – Post-show discussion featuring cast and creative team members, School of Law Professor Kevin Cope, Department of Music Professor Bonnie Gordon; moderated by Professor Shilpa Davé.

Dates and times:

Friday, July 11 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, July 12 at 7:30 PM w/ post-show discussion
Sunday, July 13 at 2:00 PM
Tuesday, July 15 at 7:30 PM
Wednesday, July 16 at 7:30 PM
Thursday, July 17 at 7:30 PM w/ post-show discussion
Friday, July 18 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, July 19 at 2:00 PM
Saturday, July 19 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, July 20 at 2:00 PM

Location: Helms Theatre 109 Culbreth Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903.

Get Happy

Get Happy! is a dynamic and electric evening of some of the greatest hits and little-known gems from American icon Judy Garland, performed by acclaimed cabaret performer and UVA alumnus Jenna Pastuszek. Eschewing imitation for celebration, Pastuszek weaves her own story amongst the carefully curated tunes, melding her own formidable talents with the unbeatable allure of timeless standards to take audiences over the rainbow and then some. 

Dates and times:

Thursday, July 24 at 7:30 PM
Friday, July 25 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, July 26 at 2:00 PM
Saturday, July 26 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, July 27 at 2:00 PM
Sunday, July 27 at 5:30 PM
    
Location: Ruth Caplin Theatre 109 Culbreth Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903.

Date: June 27 - July 27, 2025

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