The Children’s Hour
By Lillian Hellman
October 2015
The Latvian Society Theater
A devastatingly powerful tragedy of bias and scandal.
Lillian Hellman’s renowned play is set in an all-girls boarding school in the 1930s. When one of the wealthy girls does not get her way, she destroys the lives of the headmistresses by accusing them of a secret love. This powerful tragedy confronts the dangers of sexual prejudice.
Creative Team
Adrienne Mackey … Director
Marketa Fantova … Scenic Designer
Jill Keys … Costume Designer
Maria Shaplin … Lighting Designer
Joshua Boden … Sound Designer
Sara Outing … Props Designer
Samantha Wend … Stage Manager
Dave Garrett Saraffian … Production Photos
Cast
Jenna Horton … Karen
Emilie Krause … Martha
Cheryl Williams … Mrs. Tilford
Mary Lee Bednarek … Mrs. Mortar
Keith Conallen … Joe
Mr Stein … Agatha
Maggie Johnson … Mary
Samia Merritt … Rosalie
Katie Verde … Evelyn
Twoey Truong … Lois
Rebekah Sharp … Peggy
Francesca Piccioni … Helen
Kishia Nixon … Catherine
John Schultz … Grocery Boy
About Lillian Hellman
Lillian Florence Hellman (June 20, 1905 – June 30, 1984) was an American playwright, prose writer, memoirist, and screenwriter known for her success on Broadway as well as her communist views and political activism. She was blacklisted after her appearance before the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) at the height of the anti-communist campaigns of 1947–1952. Although she continued to work on Broadway in the 1950s, her blacklisting by the U.S. film industry caused a drop in her income. Many praised Hellman for refusing to answer HUAC's questions, but others believed, despite her denial, that she had belonged to the Communist Party.
As a playwright, Hellman had many successes on Broadway, including The Children's Hour, The Little Foxes and its sequel Another Part of the Forest, Watch on the Rhine, The Autumn Garden, and Toys in the Attic. She adapted her semi-autobiographical play The Little Foxes into a screenplay; the movie starred Bette Davis.