Theater program presents “The Children’s Hour” this weekend
By Matthew Levine ’17
The Department of Music, Theatre and Dance will present Lillian Hellman’s gripping play “The Children’s Hour” this weekend at the Casino Theatre. Directed by associate professor Reggie Phoenix, performances will be given at 8 p.m. Oct. 27-29 and 2 p.m. Oct. 29-30.
In “The Children’s Hour,” the lives of Karen and Martha, the headmistresses of a private boarding school for girls, are destroyed when a horrendous rumor started by an unruly pupil spreads through the school.
“I was lobbied by many of my theater students last spring to produce ‘The Children’s Hour,'” Phoenix said. “In this day of social media, there are so many ways in which negative, personal and damaging information, whether real or false, can spread to such a degree and with such speed that young people’s lives can be shattered by people ‘trolling’ them.
“The effect of this has contributed to the largest increases in suicide attempts and completions in a generation due to cyber bullying,” he continued. “This is why I think this story is important in the times we are living in. I’m thrilled that they are interested in this subject matter and had a wonderfully creative time bringing it to the stage.”
The cast includes:
- Kenneth Benell ’18 as Dr. Joseph Cardin
- Kathryn Coppa ’19 as Rosalie Wells
- Sofia Corrado ’19 as Mrs. Amelia Tilford/Catherine
- Julia Curtin ’20 as Helen
- Alexandra D’Agostino ’17 as Ms. Lily Mortar
- Laura Jedynasty ’17 as Karen Wright
- Mikayla Kenneway ’18 as Agatha/Lois
- Madisyn Mugavero ’19 as Martha Dobie
- Morgan Salpietro ’19 as Mary Tilford
- Vanessa Sciolto ’19 as Peggy
- Jillian Tereshka ’19 as Evelyn
- Collin Travassos ’18 as Grocery Boy
Students on the production team include Zachary Bailey ’20, Racquel Jean-Louis ’17 and Bradley Simpson ’20.
Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors and military and $8 for Salve Regina students, faculty and staff. Members of the Class of 2020 receive free admission when presenting their Salve Regina ID at the box office. For ticket information or reservations, call the box office at (401) 341-2250 or visit www.tinyurl.com/salvecasino.
