David Garrett, the theater manager for Virginia Peninsula Community College, has announced two shows for the 2025-26 season.
“The School for Scandal” by Richard Brinsley Sheridan will run April 30 to May 3, followed by Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Gondoliers” on July 23-26, both in the Dr. Mary T. Christian Theatre on the Hampton Campus.
VPCC’s student theater club, The Society of the Performing Arts, is putting on the two shows scheduled. The group, the TNCC Players, dissolved shortly after the roof collapse of the old theater in Templin Hall. When the student theater club was resurrected in the fall, Garrett gave them six choices.
“They chose this one because it’s a comedy of manners,” he said.
Set in the 18th century, “The School for Scandal” pokes fun at high society and is filled with intrigue, gossip and malicious intent. Garrett said in some ways it’s a Colonial-era version of “Mean Girls.”
“The Gondoliers” is a satire on class distinctions. It delves into sibling rivalry, unrequited love and financial issues.
In the past, the College has produced a non-musical in the spring, a musical in the fall and an operetta in the summer.
“We’re absolutely going to stick to that,” Garrett said.
The College hasn’t produced a live performance since “Chicago” in November 2019.
Garrett also announced a series titled “VPCC Presents …”
“It is our flagship event series featuring cultural arts from multiple disciplines,” he said. “This series showcases local, national, and international artists in theater, music, and dance; independent and emergent film screenings; and dynamic speakers addressing compelling topics in education, industry, and the arts.”
He said the theme for the series is “Staging for Democracy,” calling it “a campus-wide, community-centered civil discourse project designed to restore open dialogue, elevate differing viewpoints and equip our students, faculty, staff, and community members with the skills necessary for constructive engagement across differences.”
Here is the lineup for February:
Feb. 24: “Let Freedom Ring’s History Half Told is Untold.” (Film and discussion). This tells the history of the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, organized in 1776, from the secret meetings of free and enslaved African Americans to former President Barack Obama’s ringing of the church bell.
Feb. 27: “4:48 Psychosis” performed by Virginia Union University’s theater department. It is the last play by Sarah King, a controversial British playwright from the 1990s. Themes include death, grief, drug use, sex, mental health, and suicide. (Due to these themes and situations, this show is not recommended for audiences under 16.)
“We’re excited about all these things,” Garrett said.
For showtimes and more information, email Theater Manager David Garrett at MTCTheatre@vpcc.edu.