I got to see the world premeire of a wonderful new play at South Coast Repertory recently. Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson is now playing through May 1, 2011. The play is simply beautiful and beautifully simple, like gazing at the stars. However, like the stars, there is much more to the play than first meets the eye.
Silent Sky is an SCR commision about a real-life female astronomer whose research in the early 1900's altered everything we knew about the universe. The play mingles science and history with a dose of feminism and romantic love. It's the story of Henrietta Leavitt (Monette Mongrath), a Massachusetts pastor's daughter who leaves her home and beloved sister for a job at Harvard University's Observatory. There she maps the night sky by studying photographic plates and meets Peter Shaw, the head astronomer's apprentice, who makes her re-think her vow never to marry.
Despite her lowly position and limited access to scientific equipment, Henrietta makes an amazing discovery. But will she get the credit? Will her health give out before she gets the answers she's seeking? Will her family obligations keep her from the man she loves?
Every moment of this play has meaning; Henrietta's struggle to be able to research her ideas and not just transcribe the men's work. The conflict with her sister about what's more important, scientific research or creating a family (and the reversal of their opinions by the end of the play); The discovery of love and separation of necessity, "just for now."
This quietly moving drama is a must see.
Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson
April 1, 2011 - May 1, 2011
1 comments:
Very Nice!!
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