Review: The Players' 'They Promised Her the Moon' Educates and Enthralls

"They Promised Her the Moon" is an entertaining and thought-provoking true story about Jerrie Cobb, who hoped to have been the first woman to go to space.

In 1960, Jerrie (Lydia Johnson) is placed in an isolation tank in a New Mexico testing lab, where she is studied by Dr. Lovelace.

"I knew the sky was going to be my home," says Jerrie, who idolized Jackie Cochran, a legendary female pilot.

Jerrie's overbearing mother (wonderfully played by Marcia A. Layden) is devoutly religious, frequently quoting scripture. She urges Jerrie to settle down and start a family. But Jerrie wants to be a pilot and break barriers – literally and figuratively.

Jerrie's quest to become an astronaut makes her into a media sensation. Reporters and photographers swarm around constantly, which lands Jerrie on the cover of LIFE magazine. She later testifies at a congressional hearing about training women to be astronauts. Playwright Laurel Ollstein takes a pointed view of the sexism of the era: The male Congressmen bombard Jerrie with condescending remarks, while lauding Colonel John Glenn for his experience as a pilot. Meanwhile, male reporters make reference to Jerrie's body instead of focusing on her achievements.

The Players have assembled a terrific group of performers to bring Jerrie Cobb's story to life. Johnson ("When We Were Young and Unafraid") is dynamic and earnest as Jerrie, allowing us to understand her dreams and the frustrations she endures from a society that elevates men above women. Nancy Winokoor, who starred in 2023's "Bernhardt/Hamlet," gives another stellar performance as Jackie, who refuses to let anyone stand in her way. Jackie serves as a mentor to Jerrie, offering up valuable life lessons before turning on her in a spectacular act of betrayal. The moment when the relationship between these two women is shattered forever is a powerful one.

As the kind but pragmatic Lovelace, Terry Shea ("Wait Until Dark") has never been better. Shea has a great scene when Lovelace calmly explains that politics has everything to do with Jerrie remaining earthbound. Ian Hudgins is also excellent as Jack Ford, the suave and dashing pilot who romances Jerrie, even though he is a married man. Ford has a tough time hiding his macho pride when Jerrie becomes a celebrity.

Katie Preston's direction is polished, and the scenes are sharply paced. The internal pressures Jerrie had to face are effectively rendered in the sequence that concludes Act One, when all the people in her life are shouting conflicting information. Being a pioneer is not easy, we are reminded.

"They Promised Her the Moon" is a stark reminder of the barriers women have had to overcome, and are still struggling to overcome. Many women have gone into space, including Sally Ride, Kathryn Sullivan, and Mae Jemison. Jerrie Cobb helped pave the way for them to fulfill their dreams.

Kudos to The Players for sharing this part of history with audiences.

"They Promised Her the Moon" runs through October 6. Runs 110 minutes including intermission. The Players at Barker Playhouse. 400 Benefit St. Providence, RI. For tickets, call 401-273-0590 or visit playersri.org.