Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson

Abigail Stewart and Dalen Carlson - Photos by Eric Keitel

 

 

I try not to look at the sun. Knowing the light, originating from the sun, reaches me in approximately 8.3332 minutes or less  - traveling in waves or particles. Looking into the night sky is a better alternative. I can readily observe light bouncing off planets and traveling back to me in a span of time of which I am not acquainted and hardly understand.  All I know is that it is a confusing duration of time   - a projection of light traveling from the sun to the planet and then back to me. Time and space, space and time, and for me it is a mathematical formulation I can’t begin to calculate. Better left for the scientists.  

 

Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson, directed by Ann Hearn Tobolowsky, and produced by David Hunt Stafford is now playing at Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills California in the Rueben Cordova Theatre where the air is always cool and the parking is free through April 17, 2022 and beyond.   

 

Gunderson’s play is marvelous as it lifts the spirits and awakens the senses.  The play is, by all measures, a time capsule, capturing historical moments that pulse for a second and then disappears, all bound by love, but diverted in search for a truth that may or may or may not be realized.     

 

Henrietta Levitt (Abigail Stewart) walks out of her Wisconsin farmhouse on a Sunday morning, noticing the remnants of vanishing stars in the light of dawn. She is absorbed, no, that’s not right, perhaps focused in her thoughts, unable to hear clearly the morning sounds, compliments of an unattached hearing device.  Her sister, Margaret (Tammy Mora), pinches her to tell her to get ready for church. Their father (not seen) is the minister of the church.

 

Both have a secret they want to share, but only for the right moment.

 

No time like the present and little time to waste, Henrietta tells Margaret that she has been offered a job in the astronomy department at Harvard. Henrietta wants Margaret to move with her to Boston so they can get old and scrappy together. Seeing the inevitable in Henrietta’s eyes, the only offer of advice from Margaret is “not to wear bloomers.”  

 

Henrietta tells Margaret that Radcliff is nearby and she can study her music there but Margaret is not having any part of the discussion. And, there’s one more thing before Margaret gets ready for church, Henrietta wants Margaret to convince their father to give Henrietta her dowry because Harvard is paying her nothing for her work.   .

 

Henrietta offers Margaret one more chance to go with her but Margaret says she has to take care of their father, and besides, her boyfriend Samuel (not seen) has proposed to her.

 

“Come with me.” – Henrietta

 

“Just come back.” – Margaret

 

Later, Henrietta finds her way into her cramped office at Harvard to meet Peter Shaw (Dalen Carlson) who she mistakenly calls “Dr. Pickering”. Shaw is Edward C. Pickering’s apprentice and immediately wants to establish the pecking order of who works for whom.  This doesn’t go over too well with a strong-willed Henrietta who views their newfound relationship as colleagues and wants to get started working in the observatory.

 

“This is the workroom for you girls.” - Peter

 

Hmmm.

 

Their conversation is interrupted by the women she will work with Williamina Fleming (Amy Tolsky), a gregarious woman of Scottish decent, and their boss Annie Cannon (Marie Broderick) who demands that Henrietta find quiet inspiration in her work, and show respect.

 

It is in this room they will take the photographs, every point of light, and map out the stars.  And it is at this moment Henrietta discovers that Annie Cannon is responsible for Stellar Classifications OBAFGKM. But, for now, there is much work to be done.

 

Theatre 40 celebrates Lauren Gunderson’s play during the course of Women’s History Month and it is a fine play introducing us to historical figures that have made an incisive impact with their research.  We immediately want to learn more about these women when we venture off into the night air.

 

There is a lot to enjoy in Lauren Gunderson’s play. Let’s leave aside the excitement of academia and all that it encompass, for here is a remarkable love story, and most importantly a compelling story about family, experiencing love, and handling relationships when confronting obstacles.   

 

When things work most effectively it is not in the science of the work, but in the relationships, which were delightfully realized under Ann Hearn Tobolowsky’s direction.  

Tobolowsky manages to capture time, the essence of images projected in moments in the lives of all of the characters.  Just as the observatory photographs captures a historical perspective of light, so are the significant moments in the lives of the characters captured as well, moments with significant heart.  

 

 

 

Abigail Stewart creates the fine life of Henrietta Leavitt a woman who pushes the boundaries of her knowledge, wanting to find purpose, and seeks to discover more from her observations. Stewart finds the intangibles in the character and creates a wonderful silent life in her observational moments.  Digging deeper into character she may find the afflatus that will help guide her. 

 

Tammy Mora plays Margaret Leavitt, Henrietta’s sister. Margaret is left with holding down the fort, taking care of her father, and playing the piano in the church choir. It was her choice but she becomes slightly bitter when the work is too much for her.  Mora must find a way to communicate when speaking to the fourth wall, in the letter writing scenes, to strengthen the relationship with her sister.  The opening and the piano scene are filled with warmth. Not to take anything away but there are other levels to find and add to her already pleasant work.     

 

Dalen Carlson plays Peter Shaw a man who presents himself as rugged but has a very soft side when he wants what he wants.   Carlson creates a character that will find a way to be with the woman he wants and unfortunately nothing will stop him except time. Still he manages to stay in the periphery. His performance is intimate, warm, and very funny.

 

Amy Tolsky is marvelous as Williamina Fleming someone who soothes the jagged edges of conflicting life around her. Her altruistic impulse is to manage the people around her  especially during their initial meeting. Originally she was Pickering’s housekeeper, but finding out that she was capable of much more he found a way to bring her organization skills to the Harvard astronomy department. Tolsky gives a performance that makes one sit back, smile, and absorb her work.

 

Marie Broderick brings a lot of life to Annie Cannon.  Annie is gruff in the beginning but manages to lift that veil when things come to life and the department realizes its full potential.  In real life Annie Cannon was hard of hearing as well due to scarlet fever but there was no mention of that in the play. (It probably would have been too much.) Broderick’s performance was pleasant and wonderful to watch. And with that said it seems there may be a stronger objective, or a better choice to get what she wants.

 

Marilia Angeline and Sarilee Kahn were alternates who did not perform the night I was there.

 

There was a lot of good work in Jeff G. Rack’s set design. A circular riser takes center stage with a walkway shaped like a “P” just on top of the riser. A visual “Pi” brought a smile to my face. Also, on stage right and stage left were the facades of an ocean liner, also a very nice touch.

 

Projections on the upstage walls lifted the production to another level provided by Fritz David and accompanied with interesting sounds by Nick Foran, Sound Designer.  

 

Derrick McDaniel was the lighting designer.

 

Costume Designer Michele Young did exceptional work and Judi Lewin added to the look with Wigs, Hair and Makeup Design.

 

Jean Franzblau was the Intimacy Director, bringing something new in this age of intimacy on stage and COVID. Her job was to help the actors in the intimate moments, feeling safe in the blocking, kissing, and hugging scenes.  

 

Cameron Kauffman is the stage manager. 

 

The Hubble telescope released a photograph of a star 28 billion light years away this week. Edwin Hubble's work was influenced by Henrietta Leavitt. 

 

Run! Run! And don't take a scientist with you, bring a lay person who loves night gazing and speaking to the brightest star in the sky. 

 

Reservations:  310-364-0535

 

Online Ticketing:  www.theatre40.org

 

Theatre 40

241 S. Moreno Dr.

Beverly Hills, CA  90212