Bullying is more spotlighted in the media than ever but, sadly, it is not a new phenomenon. "The Hundred Dresses" -- the latest performance by Milwaukee’s First Stage Children’s Theater -- is set in the 1930s and explores the painful effects of kids bullying kids.

"The Hundred Dresses" runs through April 16 at the Todd Wehr Theater in the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. Tickets start at $11.50.

The play -- based on the award-winning novel by Eleanor Estes -- tells the story of a Wanda Petronski, a 10-year-old Polish immigrant who moves to a new town and struggles to fit in with the other girls. Consequently, she says she has 100 dresses, which sparks ridicule because the other girls believe the poor girl -- who wears the same dress every day -- is lying.

But the story takes the message of bullying a step further. The main message of the play is about kids not standing up for other kids and how silence can be just as detrimental as teasing.

"All kids see some level of bullying at some point," says director John Maclay. "The message here applies that there are times when doing something wrong means not standing up for what’s right. Standing by and letting someone do something you believe to be wrong is just as much of a problem. The only way the world gets better is if you see someone doing something wrong and you stand up and say that it’s wrong."

Standing up to bullies takes courage, something that can be difficult for young kids to embrace because courageous acts are often a little scary. Especially for kids who are protected by parents and shielded from fear.

"(It) takes courage, but courage doesn’t exist if you aren’t afraid. Fear is a part of courageousness," says Maclay.

Despite the title, the play is as much for boys as it is for girls. Two of the main characters are boys.

"It transcends gender," says Maclay. "It’s about how we treat each other and the difficulties of being 10."

The play is recommended for kids who are at least 7 years old -- although Maclay plans to have his 5-year-old son watch the performance. If parents are unsure if the play -- or any First Stage play -- is appropriate for their child, they can call First Stage and ask specific questions about the content.

My boys -- age 7 and 8 -- and I attended the performance on Sunday. The audience was primarily mothers and daughters, which is too bad considering the fact the message of bullying is one to be received by both genders.

In any case, the show was spectacular. The period costumes, simple sets and old timey music were perfect for the piece and the acting was top notch, particularly Katherine Pollnow as Wanda, the 10-year-old Polish immigrant, and Kendal Briscoe who played the bratty "Nelly Olson-ish" Peggy. Pollnow was so believable that, after the performance during the questions and answers portion, an adult asked her if she spoke Polish in real life.

The story line is extremely touching as well as timeless. Anyone who has hurt another person’s feelings and had a difficult time living with the emotional aftermath will relate. And whereas today girls might quibble who has the coolest cell phone cover it’s made clear that the competition between girls -- and the alienation of those who don’t have as much "stuff" -- has been around for decades.

The program lists questions to ask children before and after the performance, and all of them resonated with my kids. At their young age, they have already witnessed bullying and one of my sons actually experienced it firsthand. And like most things, the only way it is going to stop is if it’s identified, reported and discussed. And this means kids need to stand up for other kids, a concept made clear in this performance.

Maclay started working with First Stage in 2000. Recently, he directed "Aesop’s Fables," "Junie B. Jones And A Little Monkey Business," "How I Became A Pirate," "Ferdinand The Bull" and others.

"Don’t get me wrong, I love films, but I think a screen disengages the audiences, whereas a live performance allows people to emotionally connect with the characters on a deeper level," he says. "Going to a play is a great family experience. I think the drive home -- when families talk about the show -- is just as valuable as the show itself."