2026-27 SEASON
versus: against or in contrast to
The 2026 – 2027 Hanover College Theatre season, titled VERSUS, explores the drama, tension, and humor that arise when individuals, groups, and ideologies stand in opposition. From political divides to friendly competition, each production next season centers on stories that remind us that while conflict is inevitable, it is often the catalyst for transformation.
1776
Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards | Book by Peter Stone
Directed and Staged by Gabriel Vanover
October 23 – November 1, 2026
It’s the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence…if only our founding fathers can agree to do it! 1776 follows John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia as they attempt to convince members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence. This bold new production of the classic musical moves the action from Independence Hall into a high school history classroom where students are studying the Founding Fathers, and shines new light on the birth of the United States during our country’s semiquincentennial!
Ticket reservations for this production begin October 9
A Christmas Carol by Candlelight
Adapted from Charles Dickens’ Novella and Directed by Gabriel Vanover
Presented in collaboration with the Ball Family Chaplain in the Brown Memorial Chapel
December 3 – 5, 2026
Start your holiday season with a theatrical reading of Dickens’ classic tale by the Hanover Theatre Department. Presented in collaboration with the Ball Family Chaplain and hosted in a candle-filled Brown Memorial Chapel, this intimate telling of Scrooge’s journey to redemption is being presented in support of the Jefferson County House of Hope.
Ticket reservations for this production begin November 19
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Music and Lyrics by William Finn | Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman | Additional Material by Jay Reiss
Directed and Staged by Gabriel Vanover
February 18 – 21, 2027
An eclectic group of mid-pubescents vies for the spelling championship of a lifetime! While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion! A wildly funny and touching Broadway musical, this spelling bee is one unforgettable experience!
This production explores the awkwardness and hilarity of adolescence and contains humor and language that may not be suitable for all audiences. This production is not suitable for children. Rated PG-13
Ticket reservations for this production begin February 4
Passage
By Christopher Chen
Directed by Dr. Jennifer Schmidt
April 2 – 4, 2027
Inspired by E.M. Forster’s A Passage to India, Christopher Chen’s Passage is a poetic drama set in a fictional colonized country. When a tense encounter between a native citizen and an expat spirals into accusation and unrest, the play questions the murky ethics of imperialism, cultural misunderstanding, vulnerability, and identity. A meditation on how power imbalances affect personal and interpersonal dynamics across a spectrum of situations, Passage has been described as “tense and fascinating” by New York Magazine, and it is “guaranteed to raise your heart rate” (The New York Times).
Ticket reservations for this production begin March 19
