Out of the Starry Night

Galileo Galilei, in all his geocentric eccentricity, was confident in his belief that the earth moves around the sun, even as the scholars of the Catholic church argued that it was the other way around. Time and further scientific developments proved Galileo correct in this matter, but wrong in other areas of his research. What if old man Galilei had the chance to explain himself today? How thrilled would he be with the tools and methods of modern astronomy, and how disappointed would he be in his own errors? That’s the conceit of Rick Foster’s play The Starry Messenger: A Tale of the Father of Modern Science. John Bratkowski stars as Galileo, returned to life in the modern day by the efforts of his daughter, Sister Mary Celeste (Pamela Reckamp). The play’s more a celebration of ideas than a lament of their suppression, and offers insights on the scientific method, religious belief and the relationship between a demanding father a strong-willed daughter. Upstream Theater Company presents The Starry Messenger at 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (December 13 and 14) and 3 p.m. Saturday, December 20, at 305 South Skinker Boulevard (314-863-4999 or www.upstreamtheater.org). Tickets are $10 to $15.
Sat., Dec. 20, 2008