STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK
Patsy Wygle admits that she got a little pushback when she decided to stage Lillian Hellman’s 1934 play “The Children’s Hour.”
“The play was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and rejected because it was too controversial,” she said. “It’s now 83 years old. If we can’t handle this now, when can we handle it?! Really, the play’s not about sexuality—it’s about lying and gossip.”
The Community School Players will present the play at 7 p.m. tonight—Thursday, March 9—through Saturday, March 11, in the Community School Theatre. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults, available at the door.
The play, which made Lillian Hellman a celebrity at age 29, revolves around two lifelong friends who saved for years to open a New England boarding school for girls in a converted barn. But their dream is threatened by a spoiled brat named Mary Tilford who makes up a malicious lie that the two women are having an affair after they discipline her.
The play shows how much words matter and the power of a lie to have repercussions that go far beyond even what Mary could likely have imagined.
Wygle said she chose the play in part because she has so many talented young women. And her young thespians stepped up to the plate during dress rehearsal Wednesday night, delivering the compelling emotional script in fine fashion.
Anik Zarkos, who plays the troublemaker Mary Tilford, cut her character some slack.
“Her father committed suicide so I think she feels like people have it out for her,” she said. “She has a tumultuous relationship with her family and she thinks a lot of things are her fault. She’s in a lot of emotional pain, and I think people who are in pain want other people to feel pain. And one of the ways she does that is by manipulating her grandmother.”
The youngsters in the play believe “The Children’s Hour” is as timely and relevant today as it was in the 1930s.
“It’s a product of its time—it offers insights into injustices which are part of our history. And it’s still relevant today,” said Chloe Khosrowshahi, who plays Mary’s grandmother. “We’re seeing a lot of phobia among our legislators in terms of the LBGT community and intolerance in general. This play has a big element of forgiveness in it. Forgiveness and acceptance.”
Adele Stireman, who plays one of the head mistresses accused of having an affair, said she’s amazed that the relations between same-sex couples is still an issue nearly 100 years after the play was written.
“It’s a topic that’s hard to talk about. Still, we need to talk about it, especially in a school environment because right now is when we’re stepping into and exploring our own sexuality,” she said.
Jasper Mott, who plays a charming grocery boy, agreed: “The play definitely touches on topics we don’t normally address, such as suicide and the lesbian and gay community. It reminds us we shouldn’t be so quick to judge or make assumptions about people.”
Adele Stireman plays Martha, the headmistress, while Sofia Lodato plays the other headmistress. Anik Zarkos plays Mary Tilford and Chloe Khosrowshahi, her grandmother.
Lucy Moore plays Aunt Lily, while Joe Hall plays Joe Cardin, the fiancé of one of the headmistresses. Pilar Pennell plays Agatha and Jasper Mott the grocery boy.
The school girls are played by Sophie Harder, Christine DuFur, Rachel Roudabush, Chiloe Spelius, Camille Cookston, Eliza Sammis, and Tess Burchmore.
Interestingly, "The Children's Hour" was one of the first plays The Community School staged, according to David Butterfield. Mariel Hemingway was one of the leads--just prior to her career taking off.
"It was mounted in the Opera House and quite a hit for a school play!" said Butterfield.
Emily Dreyfus starred in the play for Community School in 2000.
The show is recommended for those 12 and older.