Sumner’s Act I Theatre Productions invites patrons to venture into the dark and twisted world of gossip as the group performs The Children’s Hour.

The 1934 drama, which explores the consequences that unfold after an angry student at an all-girls boarding school runs away, will be ATP’s first drama. To avoid being taken back, the student accuses the two school mistresses of being in a homosexual relationship.

“It took a while for me to feel that I had enough strong women in their 20s and 30s to play the teachers, and enough strong girls to play the girls,” said Petra Karr, ATP’s director.

Karr said the women and girls have brought an incredible level of professionalism to rehearsals. She also oversees character and story development.

“As a director, I do really like to start filling out something you can really sink your teeth into,” she said.

Lillian Hellman, the play’s author, is one of Karr’s favorites.

“I consider her to be one of our greatest contemporary playwrites,” Karr said.

She added that the play captures just how much damage gossiping girls can do; the devastation and the characters ring true.

The woman who plays the grandmother said she’s finding the role to be challenging, Karr said. The woman is a teacher, and she knows the type of girl who can spread a rumor. Watching a character be so true to her experiences has brought challenges — and also depth to the performance, Karr said.

“People almost take glee in believing (gossip),” Karr said.

Rehearsing the play has been a bit like group therapy sessions in which the actresses have been able to discuss the damaging effects of gossiping and the reality of the choice to not gossip, Karr said.

She added that she hopes the play will lead to similar conversations for those who attend it.

“The play opens the door for conversation about not letting yourself get drawn into that kind of gossip with the girls you so much want to be popular with,” Karr said.

Due to the nature of the story, Karr has labeled the production for “discerning audiences.” This classification is primarily because the play is intense, but also because there may be minor instances of adult language.

Karr said children younger than 12 or 13 may be bored.

“As a parent, I always appreciate an explanation,” she said.

But Karr encourages families who have girls to see the play. Although it’s a tragic drama, it does have its amusing moments, said Daena Hensley, who plays one of the two teachers accused of a homosexual relationship.

“With a drama, you almost have to highlight those more ... you don’t want the audience depressed the whole time, you want them involved,” she said.

Hensley, who has worked with Karr for many years but recently has done work behind the scenes, said she’s pleased to be back on stage.

“It’s a different way to express myself,” she said.

Karr said she’s not sure why the name of the play is “The Children’s Hour.” She offered the words of one of her cast members as the best explanation: “It is the story of how much a child, one child, can ruin your life in one hour,” she said.

Production Notes

Tickets for The Children’s Hour are available at www.atheatrepro.com. The play will be presented at 7 p.m. Jan. 27 and Jan. 28 and at 3 p.m. Jan. 29.

Meredith Lawrence is a freelance reporter for The Herald.