Ford's Theater: Silent Sky

Lauren Gunderson is a relatively young playwright who is amassing quite a body of interesting, intricate and feminist plays.  Feminist in the sense that she excels at giving women their due.  She also excels at bring history to life, at creating complete and interesting characters, and at finding the humor in the moment, even as the subject becomes serious.  I am really loving getting to know her through her plays.

"Silent Sky" is the story of Henrietta Swan Leavitt (1868-1921) who's intellect (Summa Cum Laude @ Radcliff) won her the opportunity to work with some of the most important astronomers of the time at Harvard University.  The play gives us a hero who, faced with misogyny, found a cadre of supportive women and persisted in her passion for the stars until her research formed the foundation of modern astro-telemetry.  With a sparse cast of 4 female characters and 1 male, including the role of Leavitt, there is no doubt that much was left unsaid.  What was said, spoke volumes.

The set was beautiful.  A balcony with duo arching staircases framed the main stage.  Beneath this a stage floor painted in circles like a star chart itself rotated between two rooms transformed to become several settings.  A hundred incandescent light bulbs hung from the rafters gently pulsing on and off throughout the play.

Of the actors, each to a person was magnificent.  The five characters formed duos and triads and more as the story unfolded.  Jonathan David Martin as Peter Shaw (recently seen in "The Occupant" at Theatre J) once again displayed his charisma and adept presentation of dialogue to create a powerful, empathetic character.  The two members of the Harvard "computer" corp were played by Holly Twyford (one of the most decorated actors in the DMV) and Nora Achrati who is both an amazingly precise and powerful actor, and totally available to playing a minor roll.  Not the case in this play, but having seen her in both types of roles, I also appreciate her work ethic.  The first time I saw her, in "When We Were Young and Unafraid" at Keegan Theatre in 2017, I was deeply impressed.  Every time I encounter her, it excites me, and I've yet to be disappointed.

Holly Twyford, Laura C. Harris, and Nora Achrati

Henrietta had a sister, Margaret, and the play gives plenty of focus on their relationship.  Margaret is played by a new actor to me, Emily Kester.  She was wonderful in the role.  She embodied the essence of the sibling dynamic between love and frustration--excellent writing withers without an actor as talented.  Which leads us to Henrietta portrayed by Laura C. Harris.  A tour de force performance.  She took charge and created the frame from which all else moved and had its being.  I do hope I get to see more of her in the future.

This is a go.  GO!  Don't miss it if you can, you'll not regret the effort.