'Silent Sky' Shines at LSC-CyFair: Drama Department Tells the Story of Forgotten Astronomer Henrietta Leavitt
In a compelling intersection of science and storytelling, the Lone Star College-CyFair Drama Department invites the Cypress community to experience Silent Sky, a powerful play that honors the remarkable life of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt. Performances will run November 13 through 15 at the Main Stage Theatre, blending history, heart, and humanity in this celebration of a woman whose work changed astronomy forever — even as her name was nearly lost to history.
Written by acclaimed playwright Lauren Gunderson, Silent Sky sheds light on Leavitt’s tenure at the Harvard College Observatory during the early 1900s. At a time when women were only permitted to work as “computers” — cataloging data for male astronomers — Leavitt defied societal expectations, discovering a key relationship between the luminosity and period of Cepheid variable stars. Her findings, known today as the "Leavitt Law," laid the foundation for measuring distances across the universe and were instrumental to later breakthroughs by astronomers like Edwin Hubble.
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“Henrietta’s story is about more than astronomy,” said the production’s organizers. “It’s about perseverance, wonder, and the quiet revolution that happens when someone refuses to let their brilliance be overlooked.”
Gunderson’s play brings this forgotten scientific hero into the spotlight, infusing her journey with wit, romance, and the very human tension between personal dreams and professional purpose. As Leavitt charts the stars, she must also navigate her relationships — with her sister, Margaret; her supportive but conflicted colleagues; and a budding love interest — all while pushing the boundaries of what women were “allowed” to do in her era.
Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with an additional 2:30 p.m. Saturday matinee, at the college’s Main Stage Theatre. Tickets and details are available at LoneStar.edu/BoxOffice.
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The show is part of a broader lineup of fall entertainment at LSC-CyFair, which continues with a Symphonic Band and Symphony Orchestra concert on November 21, a Percussion Ensemble and Composers Club concert on December 2, and a choral concert on December 5. All events take place in the Main Stage Theatre and highlight the vibrant cultural arts scene thriving in the Cypress community.
For those in Cypress and surrounding areas looking for a night of inspiration and insight, Silent Sky promises a transformative theatre experience — one that not only entertains, but honors the legacy of a brilliant woman who reached for the stars.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
