Review: Intiman's THE CHILDREN'S HOUR Builds Beautifully

The tragic circumstances and attitudes of Lillian Hellman's "The Children's Hour" may still have some resonance in today's more accepting world but the power and stakes of the piece when set in the unforgiving 1930's feels so much greater than the more progressive 1980's as the current production from The Intiman Theatre Festival updates it to. But even with the change in era and place the piece still hits hard especially in the more than capable hands of director Sheila Daniels.

In this updated work, it's the 1980's in the Pacific Northwest and Karen Wright and Martha Dobie (Tiffany Yvonne Cox and Hannah Mootz) are the proprietors of a girl's boarding school. The two women who are respected in the community and loved by most of their charges are put to the test when one spoiled little girl named Mary (Jasmine Jean Sim), upset over being disciplined, tells her influential Grandmother (Suzanne Bouchard) that the two ladies are lovers sending a destructive scandal through their new school.

I'm a proponent of updating time and locale of a piece as long as it lends something to the work. But here I couldn't even tell it was the 1980's or in Washington except for the clothes and that the press release told me so. In fact a few of the lines still had a distinct ring of a 1930's sensibility. So while I don't agree with director Daniels need to update it I do applaud her ability to invest the show with a wonderful build, flow and arc, a talent she has proven to possess time and time again.

The cast is superb and eagerly sink their teeth into the roles and stakes of the piece. Cox and Mootz are wonderful counterpoints for each other. Cox has a wonderful assuredness to her character which balances Mootz's desperation beautifully making their betrayal all the more powerful. Sim shows off some amazing layers as the complex and sociopathic young girl. Bouchard is absolutely transformative as a woman trapped into this lie through family ties and obligation. Julia Prud'homme is a delight as the somewhat comic relief of the piece as Martha's Aunt but still manages to keep the role grounded and tragic. Michael Place shows off some incredible strength of will and conviction as Karen's fiancé Joe. And I have to mention a stunning turn from Meme Garcia as the young Rosalie who's blackmailed into the lie. Her Act Two closing moment was palpable and like a punch to the gut.

It's easy to take this play on face value and miss the stakes of it all, not only the scandalous aspects but the struggle for strong women to be seen as more than a stereotype. But Daniels manages it with grace and that's why I give Intiman's "The Children's Hour" a tragic YAY. I may not have gotten the update but I certainly got the message.

"The Children's Hour" from the Intiman Theatre Festival performs at the Cornish Playhouse through September 27th. For tickets or information contact the Intiman box office at 206-315-5838 or visit them online at www.intiman.org.

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