Audiences will soon be “star gazing,” at the celestial bodies and actors on stage, as Heartwood Regional Theater Company continues its 24-25 season with Lauren Gunderson's witty and moving “Silent Sky.” The show run is June 20 through June 28 in the Poe Theater at Lincoln Academy.

Heartwood director and designer Griff Braley enthusiastically credits this energetic and committed cast of five, with a collective willingness to search deeply for character, ensemble, and meaning, as they delve into this multi-layered, often comedic and inspiring script.

Teralyn Reiter is featured as 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt joined by a powerful ensemble: Emily Sue Barker, Carole Florman, Nanette Hennig Fraser and Roosevelt Bishop. Heidi Kopishke's beautiful costumes recall the 1900 – 1920 period setting. Ryan Kohnert and Annalise Garnett have created an evocative, subtle set, where the music, light, and personal relationships connect the audience to this fine play.

Widely produced since its first production in 2015, the story follows Henrietta Leavitt, as she begins work at the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s, where she isn’t allowed to touch a telescope or follow her scientific interests. Instead, she joins a group of women “computers,” charting the stars for a renowned astronomer who calculates projects in “girl hours” feeding his work. As Henrietta, in her free time, attempts to measure the light and distance of stars, she must also take measure of her life on Earth, trying to balance her dedication to science with family obligations and the possibility of love.

This true story of Henrietta Leavitt explores a woman’s place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries, when women’s ideas were often dismissed. Henrietta Leavitt's dedication changed the way we came to understand both the heavens and Earth.

One matinee performance and four evening performances are scheduled in the air-conditioned Poe Theater at 81 Academy Hill Road, Newcastle, on the Lincoln Academy campus: Saturday matinee June 21 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. performances June 20 and 26-28.  Runtime is approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes, with a brief intermission. 

Tickets are $5/students through college and $30/all adults. Student tickets are kept to a very low $5 through the sponsorship of Moody’s Diner and First National Wealth Management.  Reservations strongly recommended by emailing info@heartwoodtheater.org or phoning Heartwood at 563-1373.

“Silent Sky” is presented with special permission of Dramatists Play Service, Inc. Heartwood’s 22nd season is sponsored by Bath Savings Institution.