Back ‘Into the Woods’: UVA alum directs magical homecoming

June 23, 2025
actors rehearsing a stage musical number

The musical “Into the Woods” is a reimagining of classic Brothers Grimm fairytales. The Virginia Theatre Festival’s production of the show draws actors from Broadway to right here on Grounds. (Photo by Kelly West, University Communications)

After choreographing and watching the Broadway musical “Into the Woods” dozens of times, you might think University of Virginia alumnus Matthew Steffens would be tired of the show. But when Virginia Theatre Festival artistic director Jenny Wales asked Steffens if he would be interested in directing a production of “Into the Woods” for the festival’s 51st season, he jumped at the chance.

Matthew Steffens directing actors during rehearsal of ’Into the Woods’

Director Matthew Steffens guides cast members, including rising second-year UVA student Cameron Gardner, Left. Steffens graduated from UVA in 1998. (Photo by Kelly West, University Communications)

“I said ‘yes’ right away,” said Steffens, who graduated from UVA in 1998 with a major in government and a minor in theater. Steffens is returning to the festival after directing “Cabaret” in the 2023 season.

Steffens served as associate choreographer for the Broadway revival of “Into the Woods,” as well as the musical’s national tour. “Into the Woods,” a 1986 musical with music by Stephen Sondheim and script by James Lapine, is a reimagining of classic Brothers Grimm fairytales like “Jack and the Giant Beanstalk” and “Cinderella.” It has been nominated for a Tony Award every year it has been performed, and it will be the first show of this season of the Virginia Theatre Festival.

“I’ve probably seen this show 75 to 100 times over the course of our off-Broadway, Broadway and national tours,” Steffens said. “It was my life for a year and a half. … I had to ask myself, ‘How do I create my own version of this for the VTF audience in 2025?’”

Soon, audiences in Charlottesville will get to see the version Steffens and his cast created. “Into the Woods” will run from Friday through July 6 at UVA’s Culbreth Theatre.

That cast includes professional actors from Broadway as well as Central Virginia and beyond, along with two UVA students, Cameron Gardner and Soren Corbett. Gardner plays Lucinda, one of Cinderella’s stepsisters. Corbett plays Milky White, a puppet and Jack’s cow in “Jack and the Giant Beanstalk.” Gardner and Corbett were cast after Steffens and his team watched thousands of auditions. Steffens said he personally watched more than 500 self-taped auditions.

Cameron Gardner and Katie Wall

Gardner, left, rehearses a scene with her fellow evil stepsister Katie Wall, center. Gardner plays Lucinda. (Photo by Kelly West, University Communications)

“Cameron came in and knocked my socks off right away,” Steffens said.

Gardner sang the same song in her audition as Katie Wall, who plays Florinda, Cinderella’s other stepsister. He asked the two actors to sing the song together, and instantly knew he had his stepsisters.

Steffens has known Corbett since Corbett was 7 years old through DMR Adventures, a local performing arts group that offers theater camps and classes for kids.

Tuition Covered For Virginia Households Making <$100K
Tuition Covered For Virginia Households Making <$100K

“As soon as Soren came in, he reminded me of how much this Charlottesville community raises artists, and then often they come into the UVA community, and how that is so special. His work as the puppeteer from Milky White has been transformative,” Steffens said.

Puppeteering is new to Corbett, though he is no stranger to UVA’s theater scene.

“There’s so much to learn from everyone, and I feel like it’s really helped me grow as a person and as an actor in ways that other productions have not,” Corbett, a rising third-year student, said.

“Everyone is so there for each other, and we’re just so connected. Especially with us being the youngest people in the cast, I feel like I’ve learned so much,” Gardner, a rising second-year student, said.

Cameron Gardner and Soren Corbett

Gardner and UVA student Soren Corbett, left speak during a break in rehearsal. Gardner and Corbett are the only current UVA students among the cast. (Photo by Kelly West, University Communications)

Their experiences mirror Steffens’ own. During his fourth year at UVA, he was in a UVA production of “Into the Woods.” He performed with Wales, the festival’s artistic director, who remains a close friend.

“It definitely does remind me of my own experience at UVA and how that was a major part of me pursuing art,” Steffens said. “That has always been one of my goals working at VTF, to try to continue to give back to that student community that provided me the foundation for what my art is.”

Viewers who come to the show will see a “more physical” version of “Into the Woods,” along with custom-made sets and costumes, Steffens said. But he also hopes it offers a space for people to come together.

“The lovely thing about ‘Into the Woods’ is that everyone gets to come together and go on this collective journey,” Steffens said.

Tickets for “Into the Woods” are on sale online now. Tickets are also available at the UVA Arts Box Office.

Media Contact

Alice Berry

University News Associate Office of University Communications

Article Information

June 23, 2025

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