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SILENT SKY Puts Focus On Extraordinary, Overlooked Women Astronomers

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Jon Reeves

Silent Sky is the story of real-life astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, who worked at the Harvard College Observatory from 1898 until her death in 1921. In Lauren Gunderson's play, we learn about her work, the work of  her fellow female astronomers (called "computers"), and the significant discoveries she made. Leavitt was not the first woman to join the observatory staff - that was Willamena Fleming, the Scottish-born housekeeper of the observatory's director. In an interview with Cara Lieurance, actors Aly Homminga (Henrietta Leavitt) and Milan Levy (Willamena Fleming) talk about their roles in the upcoming production at Kalamazoo College, along with director Ren Berthel. 

Silent Sky runs Feb 27 - Mar 1 at the Kalamazoo College Festival Playhouse. Tickets and more information available at the playhouse website

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Cara Lieurance is the local host of NPR's All Things Considered on 1021 WMUK and covers local arts & culture on Let's Hear It on 89.9 Classical WMUK weekday mornings at 10 - 11 am.