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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.
Media Contact:
Judy Richtel
President, VIVA Theater Board of Directors
VIVA Theater Brings a Hidden Star to Light with Lauren Gunderson’s Silent Sky
Boulder, CO (April 10, 2026) –VIVA Theater proudly presents a luminous and deeply moving performance of Silent Sky by acclaimed playwright Lauren Gunderson. Tickets for the show running May 22 through June 6 at the Dairy Arts Center are available now.
Silent Sky tells the true story of Henrietta Swan Leavitt, a pioneering astronomer whose groundbreaking discoveries transformed our understanding of the universe. Set in the early 20th century, the play follows Henrietta, a young woman from Wisconsin, as she joins the Harvard Observatory as part of a team of women, “human computers” tasked with cataloging the stars from photographic plates. What begins as routine clerical work becomes a life’s mission when Henrietta discovers a mathematical relationship between the brightness and pulse of certain stars. Her discovery would ultimately allow scientists to measure the distance of galaxies and fundamentally reshape our understanding of the universe. Though she worked largely in obscurity and was barred from using the telescope herself, Henrietta’s contributions laid the foundation for Edwin Hubble’s discovery of an expanding universe. She died in 1921 before she could be nominated for the Nobel Prize, but her legacy continues to shape modern astronomy.
Gunderson, one of the most produced playwrights in the United States, brings Henrietta’s story to life with warmth, intelligence, and theatrical brilliance. Silent Sky seamlessly weaves together science and storytelling, blending humor, music, and the wonder of discovery. At its heart, the play is as much about human connection as it is about the cosmos. Henrietta’s relationships—her correspondence with her sister Margaret back home, her friendships with fellow computers Williamina Fleming and Annie Jump Cannon, and her quiet, complicated relationship with fellow astronomer Peter Shaw—reveal a woman navigating ambition, love, and the constraints placed upon her in a male-dominated field.
Infused with awe and curiosity, Silent Sky is a thought-provoking exploration of discovery, perseverance, and our place in the universe. Henrietta’s work becomes not just a scientific achievement, but a deeply human act of persistence, imagination, and wonder. “Henrietta’s story is both a reminder that history is full of people whose contributions were essential but uncelebrated in their own time,” says director Abigail Wright, “and a call to look up and question the limits of what can be known.”
Join VIVA for this inspiring production that shines a light on a remarkable woman whose vision helped humanity better understand the stars.
Performance Details:
- Dates: May 22— June 7, 2026
- Location: The Dairy Arts Center
- Tickets: Available at Dairy Arts Center Tickets
About VIVA Theater
VIVA Theater, a nonprofit organization, is Boulder’s only community theater group dedicated to encouraging healthy, vibrant aging through creative expression. We provide opportunities for older adults to participate in the arts as performers and learners. For twenty-five years, VIVA has been a cornerstone of the Boulder arts community, delighting audiences and participants alike with our consistent, high-quality theatrical performances.
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