The Department of Theatre will present Lillian Hellman's “The Children's Hour” Wednesday through Sunday, Feb. 22-26 in the Anne Belk Theater of the Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts.
Based on a true story, the play ignited a scandal when it was first produced in 1934; nevertheless, it won both critical accolades and financial success. Running on Broadway for two years, “The Children's Hour” has since become a classic of American drama.
The 1961 film adaptation, directed by William Wyler, starred Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine and James Garner and received five Academy Award nominations. More recently, Keira Knightley and Elisabeth Moss starred in a 2011 stage production in London’s West End.
Hellman discovered the plot for “The Children’s Hour” in a true-crime anthology, which reported a case from 1810 in which a young girl at a boarding school in Scotland accused the schoolmistresses of having an affair. Though the two women were acquitted in court, their reputations and the school were ruined.
The Department of Theatre production is directed by Assistant Professor of Theatre Robin Witt and student Jessica Woodworth. Tickets are $18 for general audiences; $12 for UNC Charlotte faculty, staff and alumni; $10 for seniors and $8 for all students.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 22-25, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Feb. 26.