Walking into the UVA Drama Building lobby on the evening of July 7, it was clear that for the Virginia Theatre Festival, this was hardly just another opening, another show.

Excitement filled the building for the sold-out season-opening performance of the classic Kander & Ebb musical Cabaret. The production was directed and choreographed by UVA alum Matthew Steffens, fresh from his role as Associate Choreographer for the runaway hit Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. It marked another reunion for Steffens and his UVA classmate and dear friend Jenny Wales, the artistic director of the Virginia Theatre Festival. Wales and Steffens, who last collaborated on the VTF stage on the acclaimed 2018 production of A Chorus Line, assembled a stellar cast chosen from among some 1500 actors they auditioned in New York, Charlottesville, and submissions from across the country. The cast was led by VTF veteran Ainsley Seger, who appeared at VTF in A Chorus Line and The Cocoanuts and has gone on to become a series regular on NBC’s Law and Order: Criminal Intent as Detective Jet Slootmaekers.

The excitement was about more than this, however. The evening marked VTF’s first musical since the beginning of the pandemic, which kept its theater’s lights dark for two years before a modified return season last summer. Two-and-a-half hours later, as the audience leapt to its feet in a ritual that would play out for each of the production’s performances, the message was loud and clear – the Virginia Theatre Festival was not only back – it was the talk of the town.

“This relaunch was critical for the Virginia Theatre Festival, and that was top-of-mind for Matt and for me from the time of our very first meeting and all the way through the casting, design, and rehearsal processes. I could not be prouder of the show that was created and of the entire season and every single person who made it happen.”

The season continued with Ken Ludwig’s Dear Jack, Dear Louise, a true love story for the ages that told the story of the playwright’s parents’ long-distance courtship during World War II, conducted entirely via U.S. Mail. Actor Jordan Sobel played Ludwig, a U.S. Army Captain stationed in Oregon, opposite Suzannah Herschkowitz as budding New York City actress and showgirl Louise Rabiner, while director Jeffrey Meanza masterfully brought the story to life for audiences each night in the intimacy of the Helms Theatre.

“This is an absolutely lovely show, perfect for anyone who has ever been in love or dreamed of being in love,” Wales said. “To watch Jeffrey, Jordan, and Suzannah bring these people and this story to life was such a moving and inspiring experience, and then to watch our audiences take that journey with them each evening was thrilling and rewarding.”

The season ended on a high note – or many high notes, to be more specific – with the return of the powerhouse singer and actor Yolanda Rabun, who wowed VTF audiences in 2022 one-person-show, No Fear and Blues Long Gone: Nina Simone. Rabun and her talented band brought Culbreth Theatre alive, leading audiences on a magical musical journey that covered genres from jazz to blues to gospel, Broadway show tunes and more that had many a head bobbing and toe-tapping. “Yolanda was such a hit in 2022 and we were really excited to have her back and let audiences see and hear her go beyond her Nina Simone character and, as usual, she did not disappoint!”

The season also marked an important transition for the Virginia Theatre Festival, as it moved from the oversight of the College of Arts & Sciences to the Office of the Provost and Vice Provost for the Arts. The move brings the VTF under the umbrella of Vice Provost for the Arts, Jody Kielbasa, who brings extensive theater experience, including an MFA in acting from Florida State University’s Asolo Conservatory for Actor’s Training. He founded the Tamarind Theatre in Los Angeles and was the Producing Artistic Director of American Stage in St. Petersburg, Florida

“I am very excited about the opportunity to work with Jenny to put her in the best position to implement her artistic vision for Virginia Theatre Festival,” Jody said. “As someone with a long history in and great love for the theater, it was a thrill to be a part of this process, and I look forward to building on this year’s extraordinary success in the years to come as we continue to seek out ways to entertain, challenge, and grow our audience.”

Also indispensable to the VTF’s efforts, Wales said, is the remarkable support of the Joseph and Robert Cornell Foundation and its trustees, including University of Virginia alumnus Joseph Erdman and Melissa Young. “We cannot thank the Foundation and Joe and Melissa enough for their generous support,” Wales said. “Their leadership in arts support across the Grounds and throughout the Charlottesville community is crucial to the cultural life of our region, and we are honored by their support of what we do.”