MANILA -- "Silent Sky" was one of the most under-the-radar productions last year. Overshadowed by juggernaut musicals, those who saw it were dazzled by its intelligence and heart.

This new run by startup theater company, Reine Productions, in cooperation with Repertory Philippines, sparkles and shines brighter in a more intimate venue.

Executive producer Ria Pangilinan fell in love with the show after being invited to a rehearsal.

“When the show ended its run last year, I felt that more people, especially the young people, not just women could have benefitted from watching this show. That's when I was toying with the idea to do a rerun of the show,” she said.

"Silent Sky" is about Henrietta Swann-Leavitt. The play tells the story of how she moved out of a humdrum rural life to work as a “computer” in the Harvard Observatory. Along with characters lifted out of astronomical history, "Silent Sky" traces her defiance at the turn of the 20th century, ending up as the one who figured out how to measure the universe.

Cathy Azanza-Dy imbibes Henrietta with a frantic geekiness of a woman possessed, muttering astronomical gobbledygook with no effort at all, while Topper Fabregas as Peter Shaw is as awkward, dorky, and strangely charming as ever.

Caisa Borromeo brings a provincial naivete to Margaret Leavitt, Henrietta’s straight-laced sister. The naivete works as it turns into curiosity when Margaret is drawn into Henrietta’s pursuits and, eventually, played a big part in the astronomers galactic a-ha moment.

Naths Everett’s effervescent Wilhelmina Fleming was funny in the first run, but this time around, she steals the show every time she zings a witty comeback, her Scottish accent adding to the punch.

Veteran comedian Bibeth Orteza seemed to channel Repertory Philippines’ late founder Zenaida Amador in her performance as Annie Cannon. Her deadpan battle-axe of a boss commands attention every time she’s on stage. Orteza’s transition from couldn’t-care-less disciplinarian to supportive mother figure to women’s rights pioneer is portrayed with much pathos and strength.

Joy Virata’s direction of Lauren Gunderson’s play really brought the best out of the cast. Joey Mendoza’s set and John Battalla’s lighting was simplified probably due to the smaller stage, though I missed the dazzling effect of the Aurora Borealis from last year.

Constant and exuberant laughter from the audience is one of the last things I’d expect to hear in a period play about astronomy and science. Laughter, sighs, and “awwwwws” from a young (dare I say it, millennial) audience were music to my ears.

To sum it all up, I’ve pushed, prodded, and persuaded friends and family to go out and watch this play last year. This viewing hasn’t only left my opinion unchanged, but strengthened it further. It appeals to the intellectual with the science, astronomy, and shout-outs to Keppler and Huygens, and yet touches the heart with universal themes of family, and the pursuit of that impossible goal.

And most importantly, it sprinkles humor all throughout the play to tie them all together. I laughed a lot, I learned something new, and I left with a sense of wonder.

For one night, I stopped looking down at my phone and looked up at the night sky. When the stars align as they do for "Silent Sky," it shimmers and shines as a stellar night of theater.

"Silent Sky" runs from February 1-10 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.