Intiman Theatre Presents THE CHILDREN'S HOUR, Now thru 9/27

Veteran local director Sheila Daniels (A Streetcar Named Desire, Crime and Punishment) returns to direct another American classic for Intiman Theatre: Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour, featuring rising local star Hannah Mootz (Tail of Wasps, Bo-Nita) as Martha Dobie, newcomers Tiffany Yvonne Cox (Crumbs from the Table of Joy) as Karen Wright and Jasmine Jean Sim (Dirty, Grand Hotel) as Mary Tilford; and renowned local actor Suzanne Bouchard (Dear Elizabeth, Richard III) as Amelia Tilford.

The Children's Hour begins previews tonight, September 9. Press opening is Friday, September 11, and performances run through Sunday, September 27. Single tickets are on sale now at intiman.org or call (206) 315-5838.

New this year, Intiman offers $20 advance/reserved tickets for a wide variety of patrons, including artists; students and educators; nonprofit employees; retail/service industry employees; government/public sector employees; and members of the military.

When Mary Tilford - a student at a Bainbridge Island boarding school for girls - confesses to her grandmother, Amelia, that two of her female teachers are having inappropriate sexual relations with each other, Mrs. Tilford spreads the rumor like wildfire around her wealthy Capitol Hill community, without further investigation and to devastating effect. But is it the sordid truth, or a powerful lie?

Since its first production in the 1930s, The Children's Hour has been controversial for many reasons. Daniels - who has a rich history of bringing American classics to life with Intiman Theatre - focuses this production on Hellman's original intent. "This play is about the power of a lie, and who we choose to believe when our feet are held to the fire," she says.

Daniels has re-set The Children's Hour in 1980s Seattle. "In the mid-1980s, the Iran-Contra affair was coming to light, and it also was a time where, even among many liberals, homosexuality was still seen as 'not normal,'" says Daniels. "Add to that the resurgence of conservatism, evangelism, and the failure of 'trickle down economics' - it felt like the right time. It was important to set it here because Seattle (which is my home that I love) wants to believe it is without the social problems that beset the rest of our country. I want us to see ourselves in this play."

Intiman's Community Partner for The Children's Hour is the American Civil Liberties Union Washington (ACLU), celebrating freedom of expression and protecting civil liberties for all.

The Children's Hour is presented in repertory on The Cornish Playhouse mainstage with the new comedy John Baxter is a Switch Hitter. These two stories are reflections and inversions of each other; and, in addition to sharing costume/lighting/sound designers and major set components, several actors perform in both plays, including Michael Place, Jasmine Jean Sim, and Betsy Schwartz.

Cast (in alphabetical order):

Suzanne Bouchard* Amelia Tilford

Maya Burton Lois Fisher

Tiffany Yvonne Cox* Karen Wright

Meghan Dolbey Evelyn Munn

Meme García Rosalie Wells

Hannah Mootz* Martha Dobie

Rebecca Love Peggy Rogers

Rafael Molina Grocery Boy

Michael Place* Joe Cardin

Julia Prud'homme* Lily Mortar

Betsy Schwartz* Agatha

Matthew Sherrill Understudy

Jasmine Jean Sim* Mary Tilford

Mia Tesfay Catherine

Te Yellend Helen Burton

Artistic Team:

Director Sheila Daniels**
Scenic Designer Jennifer Zeyl***
Costume Designer Melanie Taylor Burgess***
Lighting Designer Robert J. Aguilar***
Sound Designer Matt Starritt***
Fight Director Peter Dylan O'Connor
Production Stage Manager Whitney Breite*
Assistant Stage Manager Adrienne Mendoza*

*denotes member of Actors' Equity Association
**denotes member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
***represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 of the IATSE

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