In the midst of classics that are entertaining, but safe, and barely funny murder comedies, Playcrafters tends to sneak in some truly remarkable productions — like The Children’s Hour, a play controversy at its core and in its past.

Martha and Karen are school teachers, having built their girls boarding school from the ground up.  It’s their passion, their life and it takes nothing more than a lie to destroy it.

Mary Tilford is the granddaughter of one of the school’s main benefactors, Amelia Tilford.  She’s a spoiled child with a vindictive nature, used at her whim whether justified or not.  After being punished for showing up an hour late to class, Mary runs away to her grandmother’s house where, with the help of secrets shared by her classmates, she ends up telling her grandmother that Martha and Karen are lovers.

It’s a lie and we, the audience, know it.  And there ends the entertainment and begins the discomfort of the play.

This is not passive entertainment, and that’s what makes The Children’s Hour beautiful.  It’s a rich story built on the lives of people and how words can destroy them.

Playcrafters’ production is well cast, well acted, well directed and, frankly, well costumed, which is something I don’t tend to notice.  There’s nothing bad about this show, other than that it’s progression is progressively difficult to stomach, emotionally.  But, that’s the point.  And, what’s well worth your time, to experience the raw, real discomfort of this “based on a true” story.

Frankly, this is one of the shows where I walked away with an unpleasant feeling, not sure I was glad to have seen it.  It’s quite uncomfortable and not all that fun.  It’s similar to my experience with the movie Fight Club.  There are just some shows that don’t sit well while viewed, but, upon reflection, become even more beautiful.  I did not enjoy sitting through The Childrens Hour, but I am so glad I did.  It’s an experience that must be mulled over, chewed on, contemplated, for then it becomes meaningful.

I would like to say that I find it unfortunate that Playcrafters’ logo for the show was designed around the lesbian theme.  Lesbianism is actually minor to the core of the play, as it’s centered around a child’s lie and that lie’s power.  The logo, therefore, with two female symbols is misleading, as you’re not in for a night of gay theater.  It would be most unfortunate if people chose to not attend the production because of the sexuality implied by the logo.

The Childrens Hour runs May 8, 9 and 10th and 16, 16 and 17th.  Friday and Saturday performances start at 7:30 p.m.  Sundays’ start at 3:00.  Tickets are $10 and available by calling the theater, (309) 762-0330, or through the theater’s website, playcrafters.com.