Female Astronomer to Take the Spotlight in SILENT SKY at First Folio Theatre

Experience the true story of Henrietta Swan Leavitt, one of the historic female astronomers at Harvard's observatory in the early 20th century, as it comes to life in First Folio's SILENT SKY, opening in March 29th, 2017 at 8:00PM and running through April 30th, 2017 at the First Folio Theatre located at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83.

This historic adaptation is written by 2016 Lanford Wilson Award winner Lauren Gunderson, who has produced many other critically-acclaimed theater performances, including Ada and the Memory Engine, which premiered at Berkley's CentralWorks Theatre and The Revolutionists, a humorous adaptation of the historical events that took place during the French Revolution.

SILENT SKY invites a sweet, surprising look at the life of Henrietta Leavitt, one of the long-forgotten women of history. Known as one of the historic "computer ladies" working at Harvard's observatory in the 1900s, Henrietta made ground-breaking discoveries that shook the foundations of astronomy despite never being allowed to use the telescope. SILENT SKY, the true story of the early 20th century astronomer explores a woman's place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries.

The cast of SILENT SKY features Cassandra Bissell (Constellations at the Company of Fools), who will be starring as "Henrietta Leavitt" and Hayley Rice (Love, Loss and What I Wore at First Folio Theatre) as "Margaret Leavitt", accompanied by an ensemble consisting of Wardell Julius Clark (Gem of the Ocean at Court Theatre), Jeannie Affelder (Unnecessary Farce at First Folio Theatre) and Belinda Bremner (A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre).

The artistic team features Melanie Keller (Jeff Award winner for Best Actress in East of Berlin and The Russian Play at Signal Ensemble Theatre) as Director and includes Scenic Design by Angela Weber Miller (A Midsummer Night's Dream at First Folio Theatre), Costume Design by Rachel Lambert (Love, Loss and What I Wore at First Folio Theatre), Lighting Design by Michael McNamara (Jeff Award winner for Lighting Design in The Turn of the Screw at First Folio Theatre), Projections Design by John Medina (West Side Story at Paramount Theater) and Original Music and Sound Design by Christopher Kriz (Equity Jeff Award winner for Best Sound Design in Turn of the Screw at First Folio Theatre).

SILENT SKY opens March 29th and runs through April 30th, 2017. All performances take place at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, located at 1717 W 31st St., off Rt. 83, in Oak Brook. First Folio is easy to get to via the East-West Tollway (I-88) or the Stevenson Expressway (I-55). Free parking is available on the grounds.

Preview tickets are $23. Regular priced tickets are $29 Wednesdays and Thursdays (seniors and students are $26), and $39 on Fridays through Sundays (seniors and students are $36). Three show subscriptions are available for $58-$101. Season subscriptions and individual tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 630.986.8067 or online at www.firstfolio.org.

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