Feb 9, 2026
Joining me in the studio are two very talented Durango locals Mandy Irons and Tara Demmy both with the Merely Players Theatre Company. We’re talking about the upcoming production of Silent Sky, a play written by Lauren Gunderson which is based on the true story of the life and discoveries of astronomer Henrietta Leavitt in the early 1900s at a time when women battled for recognition in a man’s world. Mandy is directing the play with her incredible vision bringing the story to life on stage. She has directed and acted in many other Merely Players productions and in addition to all this she is a Minister at Christ the King Lutheran Church and sings in the Durango Women’s Choir. Tara Demmy is playing the lead role of Henrietta Leavitt bringing her talents as comedian, teacher and historian to yet another Merely production. Tara has also co-created 5 shows with the award wining theatre company Tribe of Fools based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Merely Players has been bringing high quality theatre to the Durango community since 1994 when it was founded by Mona Wood-Patterson and her husband Charles Ford. Silent Sky begins this Friday February 13 and runs through Sunday February 22nd with six evening performances at 7pm and two matinees at 2pm. These performances are always popular and although the shows are sold out you can join a wait list online or come 30 minutes before a show to grab an extra ticket! The Merely Underground is located at 789 Tech Center Drive, in Durango, Colorado. For more information on current and upcoming shows you can visit the website merelyplayers.org.