SALT LAKE CITY — Parker Theatre’s production of Lauren Gunderson’s Silent Sky is a beautiful experience. Complete with impeccable acting and stunning visuals, Silent Sky tells the story of early 19th century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt. Despite significant barriers due to gender discrimination at the Harvard Observatory, Henrietta Leavitt, alongside her colleagues Williamina Fleming and Annie Cannon, defied professional, societal and familial norms and whose scientific achievements paved the way for how we understand and measure the universe today. And she did so without ever looking through a telescope.

Under the direction of Joanne Parker, the cast of Silent Sky shines brightly in this dialogue-heavy script with crisp, accurate deliveries that are strong throughout the evening. Emma Widtfeldt expertly portrays Henrietta with her masterful presence on stage, seamlessly allowing one to see the many layers to Henrietta: a woman with not only a deep conviction to her work and desire to understand her place in the world, but also a devoted daughter, sister and friend.

The image features a person standing on a stage, illuminated by soft, focused lighting against a backdrop resembling a starry night sky. They are wearing a light blue, long-sleeved dress with a white scarf-like collar tied at the front. Their hands rest gently on a dark metal railing, and they gaze upwards with a peaceful, thoughtful expression. The atmosphere conveys a sense of wonder and contemplation.

Hillary McChesney and Emily Parker Holmgren both give exceptional performances alongside Widtfeldt. My favorite scenes were when the trio were working alongside each other, and I couldn’t help but wonder what these women could have accomplished had they had been given more opportunities beyond being “human computers.” Silly as it may sound, but watching Widtfeldt, McChesney and Holmgren portray these real-life, yet relatively unknown scientists was emotional for me almost from beginning to end. 

William McAllister gives an outstanding performance as Peter Shaw, a fictional character that not only represents the attitudes of men towards women working in the field of astronomy but also as Henrietta’s love interest. McAllister and Widtfeldt have nice chemistry with each other, and the often-awkward conversations they have does indeed feel like the two were just meeting and trying to navigate their feelings for one another. While one could argue the need for Gunderson to add a romantic relationship between Henrietta and Peter in the script at all, the pairs’ evolution does help cement Henrietta’s unapologetic commitment to her work, even at the expense of having a husband.

The image depicts a scene from the play "Silent Sky." Two women are seated on a red-upholstered wooden settee with intricately carved armrests, placed against a dark backdrop. The woman on the left is dressed in a blue dress with a white collar and appears to be gesturing upwards with an excited or pondering expression. Her light-colored hair is styled neatly. The woman on the right, wearing a white blouse with puffed sleeves, rests her head on the shoulder of the woman on the left, displaying a gentle expression. She is covered with a blue knitted blanket. A piece of blue fabric is draped over the armrest of the settee in the background.

Similarly, Jalyn Bender as Margarette Leavitt, Henrietta’s sister, adds an additional layer of complexity to Henrietta’s work ethic which required her to be away from her family for extended periods of time. Bender gives  an excellent performance, and I specifically enjoyed her scenes against Widtfeldt in which she is expressing frustration that Henrietta is never around to help take care of their ailing father.

Set and lighting design by James B. Parker was particularly enjoyable and the strongest technical element of the production. Minimal, yet beautiful and time era appropriate set pieces allowed for smooth transitions from scene to scene and fit well on the conservatively sized stage. Similarly, the lighting design created an almost immersive experience. Upon entering the theatre, the audience is met with a bold constellation projection on the stage curtain. Our first introduction to Henrietta is at the top of the performance where she is delivering her dialogue behind a sheer curtain scattered with stars. One moment where the lighting design could be stronger was when Margarette plays the piano while Henrietta and Peter are reading each other’s letters. 

Other enjoyable technical aspects of the production included costume designs by Paige Wilson and sound design by Spencer Hohl. Specifically, Wilson excelled with Annie Cannon’s costumes, which not only helped portray the passage of time but also the evolution of the character herself. I adored the moment Holmgren stepped onto the stage in a pair of pants. Admittedly, more of a variety for the other characters would have been nice. Hohl’s use of sound elevated the performance nicely with beautiful music and sounds mimicking the ocean waves among others.

The image depicts a scene from the play "Silent Sky" on stage. Five actors in period costumes are positioned against a dark, blurred background. In the center, a woman in a light blue outfit is seated in a vintage wooden wheelchair. She has a gentle expression as another woman in a pink dress leans towards her, appearing to converse or console her. To their left, a man in a black suit with a bow tie stands behind a plush red armchair, smiling. A woman in a green dress with a blue hat stands to the right, holding a white shawl. A woman in a brown suit and knickers, along with knee-high black boots, stands on the far left. The stage floor is a smooth, deep blue, and the setting has a timeless, early 20th-century atmosphere.

One of the many reasons I love Silent Sky is the conflict Henrietta experiences between her professional and personal life. Women continue to experience this conflict with respect to their career aspirations and the expectations put upon them to be wives and mothers. And as one who can personally relate to such feelings, it is inspiring to learn about women who not only broke through the barriers of their time, but that their work mattered and continues to benefit our world.

The remarkable achievements by Henrietta Leavitt, Williamina Fleming and Annie Cannon are ones that I am thrilled to see displayed on the stage in Silent Sky. It is a production that serves as a reminder of the many contributions women have made in the world of science despite the hurdles they endured, and continue to endure, in male dominated fields. With superb acting and flawless technical designs, Parker Theatre’s interpretation of Silent Sky is one I cannot recommend enough. This is a story all can appreciate, but especially those who simply want to know where they belong.

Silent Sky plays through October 11th on Fridays at 7:30 and Saturdays at 3:30 and 7:30 at Parker Theatre 3605 S State Street Salt Lake City. Tickets range from $22-$31. Visit parkertheatre.org for more information.