‘The Children’s Hour’ to play at The Little Country Theatre
Although now reduced to a “Gilmore Girls” Hellman’s mayonnaise joke, “The Children’s Hour” by Lillian Hellman is a 20th century classic.
The show opens the Little Country Theatre’s season next Friday.
Considered scandalous and ahead of its time because of subject matter when it first appeared in 1934, the story centers on a young student’s accusations of a sexual relationship between the two women who run a New England boarding school.
Adrienne Larsen, who plays Mary Tilford, describes the challenges she faces portraying the character responsible for ruining so many lives with her lies.
“ There’s not a scene where I’m not having a panic attack, bawling or beating someone up,” Larsen said about the emotional extremes Mary Tilford uses to manipulate others.
Pam Chabora, director of the production, chose a play rich with contemporary realism, socio-political applicability and potential for student growth.
“ I’ve always played with ‘Children’s Hour’ because the socio-political component was so enticing to me,” Chabora said.
The talent pool of NDSU’s 62 majors gives the show an added maturity.
Chabora said the department contains “primed, potent and really equipped actresses ready to work at this level.”
Larsen said she tackles the challenge of playing a 14-year-old as a senior in college by using what she called “youngifying myself.” Other concerns include “trying to humanize someone so obviously evil,” Larsen said.
Using Moscow Arts Theatre strategies, Chabora began the rehearsal process with a week of intense sessions teaching the active analysis technique she learned during her time in New York City last summer.
While the collaborative rehearsal process has benefited the production, Chabora said she feels like a circus ringleader at times. With half the cast in the conservatory BFA program, seasoned performers and younger actresses work together.
Although most well known for it’s homosexual overtones, it is a misnomer to label “The Children’s Hour” as simply a lesbian show.
“It’s the result of 14-year-old Mary Tilford’s lie that make her so dreadful — this is really not a play abut lesbianism, but about a lie,” writer Lillian Hellman said. “The bigger the lie the better.”
Postproduction sessions will be held on Sunday, Oct. 15, and Friday, Oct. 20. Area experts will discuss issues in “The Children’s Hour” such as sexual orientation and harassment.
These talkbacks are open and encouraged to the public as a tool for addressing the human condition in our community.
Discussion leaders include Martha DiCicco of the American Association of University Women, Kathleen Slobin, NDSU sociology professor and member of the Tapestry of Diverse Talents, and Sandra Holbrook, director of the NDSU Equity and Diversity Office.
“ The Children’s Hour” runs Oct. 13-15 and 19-21 in Askanase Auditorium.
Tickets are available at the NDSU Division of Fine Arts Box Office and Ticketmaster locations.
Ticket prices are $4 for NDSU students and can be reserved by calling the box office at 701-231-9442.