Belle Hughson, Sarah Kesselring, Aleah Montano, and Stephanie Grilo Photo Courtesy of Albuquerque Little Theatre

A movie version of The Children's Hour, with Shirley MacLaine, Audrey Hepburn and James Garner, was released in 1961. It is a well-made play and a cautious warning about lies, gossip, and jumping to conclusions. It was relevant in the political atmosphere of the 1930s, in the McCarthy era of the 1950s, and today with woke judgments and trial by media and internet.

However, the play is more than just a polemic. The characters are vibrant and the action involving. Albuquerque Little Theatre is giving the play a handsome and engaging production.

The cast includes eight young women who play the students at the private boarding school run by two women teachers who are long-time friends. In the opening scene we see the girls interacting with the elocution teacher, a silly would-be actress and relative of one of the school's founders played with aplomb by Jennifer Benoit. The young actresses are a mixed bag of ages and abilities. In this production, theis establishing scene is too chaotic and sets the wrong tone for the beginning of the play. The young actors are under-directed and the action is muddled.

Once that scene is over, the play begins to work and build tension. Belle Hughson plays Mary Tilford, the troubled young lady whose lies cause all the problems, with astonishing strength and purpose. Stephanie Grilo and Aleah Montano as the greatly maligned teachers, Karen Wright and Martha Dobie, are excellent; they anchor the production. William Berg is effective, if subdued, as the would-be husband, Dr. Joseph Cardin. Heather Lovick-Tolley as Amelia Tilford, Mary's grandmother, shows every emotion from empathy to outrage with complete conviction. The play is cast well by director Marc Comstock, who moves the action yet takes the time to focus on important moments. The ending is particularly poignant. You leave thinking about the decisions the characters have made.

Lauren Dusek Albonico has designed an attractive set that includes the school living room and Mary Tilford's living room. Great care has been exercised to differentiate the two spaces, but generally they seem to be the same. Both areas do not provide levels or other features that would give the actors more choices. Rachel Capener's costumes are serviceable and appropriate. RayRey Griego's lighting design is excellent. Albuquerque Little Theatre excels in the physical aspects of their productions, though it would be nice if set changes within acts should be achieved more quickly.

The Children's Hour is a classic of the American theatre and Lillian Hellman is an important voice for women in the 20th century. I urge you to see this important production.

The Children's Hour runs through February 8, 2026, at Albuquerque Little Theatre, 224 San Pasquale Ave. SW, Albuquerque NM. Performances are February 6-8; Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday, at 2:00 and 7:30 pm, and Sunday, at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $38 - $27. For tickets and information, please visit www.AlbuquerqueLittleTheatre.org or call 505-242-4750.

Directed by Marc Comstock, Scenic Designer: Lauren Dusek Albonico, Lighting Designer: RayRey Griego, Costume Designer: Rachel Capener, Sound Designer: Lando Ruiz, Props Designer: Nina Dorrance. Stage Manager: Kayleigh Tolley.

The Cast: Stephanie Grilo, Aleah Montano, William Berg, Belle Hughson, Heather Lovick-Tolley, Jennifer Benoit, Susan Kesselring, Lorraine Koleski, Cadence Smolenski, Lee Shulse, Aurore King, Hero Brotz, Emelia Mortimer, and Jesse Herb.