Asolo Rep presents SILENT SKY
By Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Seema Sueko
Jan. 19 – March 5
(SARASOTA, FLA) — Asolo Repertory Theatre proudly presents Lauren Gunderson’s SILENT SKY as the second play in its 2023 repertory season. Director Seema Sueko makes her Asolo Rep debut with this mesmerizing drama that’s full of wonder, humor and heart. SILENT SKY begins previews on Jan. 19, opens on Jan. 21, and runs through March 5, in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
At the turn of the 20th century, years before women had the right to vote, one woman’s breakthrough changed our perception of the stars. SILENT SKY is the remarkable true story of Henrietta Leavitt, one of the pioneering women astronomers working at Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s. Audiences will be enthralled by the story of this extraordinary woman who took on the astronomy establishment in order to discover the mysteries embedded in the sky. Henrietta transcended the odds while navigating love, family and the universe, going on to make a world-altering advancement to the field of astronomy that forever changed our view of the cosmos.
Sueko is the 2022 recipient of the Theatre Communications Group’s Alan Schneider Director Award and has worked with theatre companies across the country. Raised in Honolulu, she received her Master of Arts degree in international relations from the University of Chicago and serves on the boards of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and its Foundation. She staged SILENT SKY at Washington D.C.’s Ford’s Theatre in 2020 and is eager to bring this inspirational true story to Sarasota.
“The real-life women at the center of SILENT SKY transcended restrictions, discrimination and the noise of the time, advancing humanity and our understanding of the universe,” said Sueko. “I hope the audience has a transcendent experience and feels as if they can touch the stars.”
The design team for SILENT SKY includes Milagros Ponce de Leon (Scenic Design), Ivania Stack (Costume Design), Rui Rita (Lighting Design), Andre Pluess (Sound Design and Original Compositions), Shawn Duan (Projection Design), and Michelle Hart (Hair/Wig & Make-Up Design).
The cast features Lise Bruneau as Williamina Fleming, Christian Douglass as Peter Shaw, Kyla Dyan as Henrietta Leavitt, Suzanne Grodner as Annie Cannon and Zoya Martin as Margaret Leavitt.
The understudies are Macaria Chaparro Martinez, William Rowland-Jackson Crowder, Elle Miller, and Ayda Ozdoganlar.
“When I read Lauren Gunderson's SILENT SKY, I was swept away by the bold theatricality she brought to the deeply compelling story of Henrietta Leavitt, a scientist who overcame numerous obstacles to chart the stars,” said Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards. “I can't wait for Asolo Rep audiences to share in this rich, nourishing story that reminds us of how much one person can impact all of humanity.”
SILENT SKY is recommended for all audiences.
SILENT SKY runs Jan. 19 – March 5. Previews are Jan. 19 – 20. Visit asolorep.org for a full performance schedule. Orchestra and Mezzanine seats start at $65 and Balcony seats start at $33. Tickets are available now in person at Asolo Rep's Box Office at 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, by phone at 941.351.8000 or 800.361.8388, or online at asolorep.org.
CAST
(in alphabetical order)
Lise Bruneau*………………………………………Williamina Fleming
Christian Douglass…………………….……………………Peter Shaw
Kyla Dyan*……………………………………………..Henrietta Leavitt
Suzanne Grodner*….……………….……………..........Annie Cannon
Zoya Martin…………………….……………………….Margaret Leavitt
*****
Macaria Chaparro Martinez, William Rowland-Jackson Crowder, Elle Miller,
Ayda Ozdoganlar……………………..Understudies
*****
Nia Sciarretta*………..……..………….….. Production Stage Manager
Kristin Loughry*…….................................…Assistant Stage Manager
*Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
DESIGN TEAM
Scenic Designer…………...…………………......…….. Milagros Ponce de Leon
Costume Designer…………………..……….…………….…….……. Ivania Stack
Lighting Designer……...………..…………………………………....…….. Rui Rita
Sound Design and Original Compositions…………………………. Andre Pluess
Projection Designer…………………………………………………… Shawn Duan
Hair/Wig & Make-Up Designer……….……….………………………Michelle Hart
ENHANCED EXPERIENCES
Inside Asolo Rep
Friday, Jan. 20, at 10:30 a.m.
Cook Theatre
$5; free for donors and Asolo Rep Guilded Angels
Attendees get a glimpse of what goes on behind the curtain in this special series featuring the directors, designers, and other creative artists from Asolo Rep’s dazzling productions.
Inside Asolo Rep is sponsored by Observer Media Group.
OUT@AsoloRep
Wednesday, Jan. 25
Pre-show reception
For subscription and ticket information, contact the box office.
OUT@AsoloRep is Sarasota’s premier cultural event connecting local LGBTQIA+ communities with fantastic theatre.
OUT@AsoloRep is sponsored by Empath Tidewell Foundation, CAN Community Health, Morton’s Gourmet Market & Catering and Project Pride.
Tuesday Talkbacks (FREE)
Jan. 31
Attendees can enhance their experience with this post-show discussion.
IllumiNation
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m.
Pre-show reception and post-show community conversation
For series package information and single performance tickets, contact the box office.
IllumiNation explores the social, political and cultural themes threaded throughout the show, while examining issues of race, gender, identity and cultural intersection.
The IllumiNation series is made possible, in part, with support from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, the Koski Family Foundation and Morton’s Gourmet Market & Catering.
Community Day
Saturday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m.
Pre-show activities for all ages start at 12:30 p.m.
PlayDate
Saturday, March 4, 2 p.m.
These show-based workshops for young people offer a childcare option for adults attending a mainstage performance.
*All activities are subject to change or modification based on CDC recommendations.
SPONSORS
Asolo Rep is able to present SILENT SKY because of the generosity of its sponsors. The corporate sponsors for SILENT SKY are Williams Parker, ABC 7, The Bishop Museum, Sarasota SCENE and Culinary Creations by Metz.
Asolo Rep’s 2022-23 Major Season Sponsors are Florida State University, the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the Huisking Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, the Koski Family Foundation, Designing Women Boutique/Groundworks and The Exchange. Asolo Rep is also sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts. Asolo Rep’s artistic programs are paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues.
ABOUT ASOLO REP
Now in its 64th season, Asolo Repertory Theatre is recognized as one of the premier professional theatres in America and one of the largest in the Southeastern United States. One of the few select theatres in the nation that performs in true rotating repertory, Asolo Rep’s highly skilled acting company and extensive craftsmanship bring to life this unique performance method that gives audiences the opportunity to see multiple productions in the span of a few days. Asolo Rep presents up to 10 productions each season, including contemporary and classic works and provocative musical theatre experiences. A theatre district in and of itself, Asolo Rep is committed to expanding its reach into the community, furthering its collaboration with the best theatre artists working in the industry today and cultivating new artists through its affiliation with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards and Managing Director Linda DiGabriele, Asolo Rep’s ambitious theatrical offerings and ground-breaking education and community programming engage audiences and ensure its lasting legacy for future generations. Visit asolorep.org to learn more.