Review: Silent Sky

Astronomer Henrietta Swan Leavitt reached for the sky at a time when women were not recognized in academia. Not only did this amazing scientist break barriers by working at the Harvard College Observatory in the early 1900s, she also made pivotal astronomical discoveries that were only recognized and celebrated after her lifetime.

Big Idea Theatre’s newest production Silent Sky celebrates the life and accomplishments of Leavitt while beautifully capturing Leavitt’s pure joy in the wonderment of the celestial universe.

Playwright Lauren Gunderson delicately paints the personal and professional challenges Leavitt faced when she left her rural Massachusetts home to pursue her love of the heavens. Besides health issues, Leavitt also dealt with women’s expected roles in society—and their unexpected roles in scientific breakthroughs.

Director Adrienne Sher skillfully aligns her own stars by bringing out powerful, joyful and humorous performances by her cast, all within a lovely backdrop of twinkling constellations.

Karen Bombardier is wonderful as Leavitt, bringing a historical figure to life by displaying her frustrations and celebrating her achievements. The rest of the cast is just as captivating—Martha Omiyo Kight and Beth Edwards as two other women scientists who worked with Leavitt in the “Harvard Harem,” Hans Eleveld as fellow astronomer and bumbling love interest, and Nina Dramer as Leavitt’s loving sister.

It’s fitting that opening weekend of Silent Sky aligned with a major meteor shower over the skies of Sacramento—a heavenly tribute to a woman who reached for and brought the stars down to earth.