REVIEW: Navigating a dream in Central Square Theater’s ‘SPACE’
For some aviators, space is so close and yet so far away.
The journey for breakthrough can span generations and Space examines the rocky path to bring women to space by taking leaps and bounds through time while unveiling a mix of accomplished and still some hidden figures.
A Catalyst Collaborative@MIT production written by LM Feldman with innovative direction by Larissa Lury, Central Square Theater continues SPACE live and in person through Sunday, February 23 at Central Square Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The performance is not limited to the stage, contains some mature themes and runs approximately two and a half hours including one intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.
Prior to SPACE, make your way to a star-filled, adjacent room to study an array of promising and bright aviators featured in this production. Some who became astronauts and others who attempted to break through barriers while making strides for others.
Introduced by Kaili Y. Turner as the first African-American woman to travel to space Mae Jemison and Barlow Adamson as JFK, Central Square Theater’s SPACE transcends 100 years bringing together aviation legends whose paths may have never crossed in reality, but gathered together in this production where anything is possible.
Qingan Zhang’s simple yet expansive set design with John R. Malinowski’s transformative lighting and Nate Tucker’s immersive sound design combine for a celestial experience. The journey to become an astronaut is a physical and mental rollercoaster and this production articulates that rigorous and complicated path in an unconventional and effective manner. This multilayered production maintains a swiftly moving pace through simultaneous conversations and detailed commentary while stylistically evolving from scene to scene with a zippy narrative.
The cast’s fascinating rapport explores the similarities and differences these women might have shared had they existed in the same time period, especially when they put their heads together. It is unique method of examining their individual backgrounds and how they might have interacted if time and space had no barriers. The production discusses each of these dynamic women’s accomplishments (some who were self taught) and delves into aspects of their personal lives, interests and tragedies which those in charge unreasonably deem to affect their ability for the program compared to male candidates.
Some of the strongest scenes of the production include the arduous testing involved for this group of women test candidates in the 1961 Mercury 13 space program. Led by Barlow Adamson as a testing official, the candidates physically pile together through clever human choreography during testing, symbolizing a bond with the other women who may have never met in reality, but share a common dream.
MK Tuomanen delivers a memorable performance as daring and carefree Sally Ride and aptly articulates the panic and pressure of being NASA’s special consultant Geraldyn Cobb in a dual role. Listing jaw dropping accomplishments, Catherine K. Slusar avidly depicts Jackie Cochran’s sheer vigilance in a difficult position navigating the system as a Woman Airforce Service pilot, spokesman, and sponsor of the Mercury 13 space program. Adamson portrays an inspiring and exacting JFK and juggles a number of other characters with finesse and occasional humor while Turner delivers a fervent performance as Mae Jemison.
At one point in the production, it is mentioned that there is no ceiling in space. Learning about these brilliant women who reached and fought tirelessly through generations for their mutual dream to innovate beyond the system through changes, blockages and rejection to explore space stands an as an inspiration for any dreamer to persist no matter what until that dream is a reality.
Central Square Theater continues SPACE live and in person through Sunday, February 23 at Central Square Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The performance is not limited to the stage, contains some mature themes and runs approximately two and a half hours including one intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.
