Act 1 Presents Lillian Hellman’s “The Children’s Hour”

Act 1 DeSales University Theatre is pleased to announce the production of renowned playwright Lillian Hellman’s searing drama “The Children’s Hour.” The show opens on Thursday, Feb. 20, and runs until Sunday, March 2, on the Main Stage of the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts.

Based on an 1810 Scottish court case, Hellman’s first play is set at the struggling Wright-Dobie School for Girls. When the two administrators of the school, Karen Wright and Martha Dobie, finally begin to see financial stability from cautious success, a rumor based in spite threatens to destroy everything they have worked for as well as their future happiness.

“I am excited to share this play with the Act 1 audiences,” said Jessica Bedford, artistic director, assistant professor of theatre, and director of the production. “It's a fantastic story with a masterful plot and riveting characters. The powerful message of this play will stay with you long after you leave our theatre.”

Andrew Mannion, assistant professor in the DeSales School of Performing Arts and scenic designer for the production, created the Massachusetts school where the drama is set, and visiting artist and costume designer Janus Stefanowicz designed the costumes. Eric T. Haugen, assistant professor and head of design, serves as lighting designer, while Jonathan Cannon is the sound designer.

Prior to the curtain rising on two performances (Feb. 21 and Feb. 28), Bedford and dramaturg/assistant director Ryan Plunkett will discuss Hellman and her extraordinary life. Topics will also include the original Scottish court case that “The Children’s Hour” draws inspiration from and how “The Maltese Falcon” author Dashiell Hammett helped spark the play.

Also, with March being Women’s History Month, following the Feb. 28 performance there will be a post-show soiree to celebrate the trailblazing women in the arts, including Hellman, who paved the way for other women artists to become successful. Refreshments will be served.

“The Children’s Hour” opens on Thursday, Feb. 20, and runs through Sunday, March 2, 2025. Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 p.m., and one performance on Monday, Feb. 24, at 9:45 a.m. Ticket prices are $23 for adults and $21 for students and seniors Monday through Friday and $27 for adults and $25 for students and seniors Saturday and Sunday. There are two talk-back performances with the cast on Sunday, Feb. 23, immediately following the matinee performance and Monday, Feb. 24, following the 9:45 a.m. performance. With a mature content warning, the production is recommended for ages 16 and up.

Students who attend DeSales or any other Lehigh Valley college or university can purchase tickets for $8. Group discounts are available for all performances.

Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.desales.edu or by calling the Labuda Center Box Office at 610-282-3192. The Friday, March 1, performance is a Pay-What-You-Can night to make theatre accessible to all audiences. Visit or call the box office to purchase a ticket for “The Children’s Hour” at the price of your choosing.

To improve accessibility for all patrons, the Saturday, February 22, 7:30 p.m. performance will feature Open Captioning for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing and Audio Descriptions for patrons who are blind or visually impaired. During Open Captioned performances, all dialogue and sound effects are presented in real-time on an LED screen that is adjacent to the stage. During Audio Described performances, all action and physical appearances are described live through a headset. Tickets are half price for patrons using these special services on this date. Please call the Box Office at 610-282-3654, ext. 1, for more information.

The Labuda Center is accessible and equipped with a listening enhancement system. Special seating is available for our patrons using wheelchairs or requiring other assistance. Please inform the box office of your needs when ordering tickets.