In 1960, the famed “Mercury Seven” trained at NASA to become the first American astronauts. But they weren’t alone. Thirteen women also underwent the same rigorous psychological and physical testing. The first woman to be tested, Jerrie Cobb, even out-performed her male counterparts. But while Alan Shepard and John Glenn went on to become household names, Ms. Cobb never got that chance. In vividly theatrical terms, the West Coast premiere of ‘They Promised Her the Moon’ tells the unknown true story of this exceptional and unjustly overlooked woman, a skilled aviator, world-record-holding pilot, successful business executive and the powerful forces that kept her from reaching orbit. The play was written by Laurel Ollstein and is directed by Giovanna Sardelli. The West Coast premiere is currently taking place to rave reviews at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California.
Giovanna Sardelli is an award-winning director who has also directed world premieres of plays. Ms. Sardelli works extensively with new plays and has been part of Lark Play Development Center since it was first formed. Though based in New York City, Ms. Sardelli is the director of New Works for TheatreWorks, Silicon Valley. She is the daughter of legendary Las Vegas entertainer Nelson Sardelli.
