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June 26, 2019“SILENT SKY” Opens July 19 at Schenectady Civic Players
Schenectady Civic Players closes its 91st season with a bonus summer production of Silent Sky (free to all subscribers, $20 to general public) at its now fully air conditioned theater.
Silent Sky, by Lauren Gunderson and directed by Jennifer Van Iderstyne, opens Friday, July 19, and plays two weekends at the 12 South Church Street Playhouse in Schenectady’s historic Stockade district.
Silent Sky dramatizes the true story of Henrietta Leavitt, an astronomer ahead of her time. It explores a woman’s place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries, when a woman’s ideas were dismissed until a man claimed credit for them.
Henrietta, joining a group of women in the early 1900s at Harvard University’s Observatory who are “human computers”, is motivated by a belief that there are galaxies beyond our own — a belief that defies the consensus among her male superiors. She begins the process of recording changes in stars – a scientific discovery that has a profound and lasting impact on the field of astronomy.
“ … a lively, funny, accessible play that’s alive with interesting ideas.” —ArtsAtl.com. “…sheer magic with bursts of smart, infectious humor.” — San Francisco Chronicle. “… an intellectual epic told on an intimate scale. Bottom line: Heavenly.” —Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The cast features Lydia Nightingale (as Henrietta Leavitt), Cara Juras (as Margaret Leavitt), Carol Charniga (as Williamina Flemming), Melissa M. Brown (as Annie Cannon), and Thomas Swimm (as Peter Shaw).
Silent Sky runs for seven performances: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays: (July 19 at 8:00 pm, 20 at 8:00 pm, 21 at 2:30 pm, July 26 at 8:00 pm, 27 at 2:30 pm and 8:00 pm, 28 at 2:30 pm).
For tickets: Subscribers have already received their free vouchers. General public $20 — purchase at the door. Open seating at all performances. No advance reservations necessary. www.civicplayers.org
