MACH 33: "Sizzle Sizzle Fly"

Location: Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena)

In Sizzle Sizzle Fly, written by Susan Bernfield and directed by Rhonda Kohl, Frances "Poppy" Northcutt, a math whiz working at Mission Control as a "computress," finds flaws in some unruly code, is promoted to technical staff—and becomes the first woman to slip on the headset as a NASA engineer.

It's December 1968, the cusp of a new world, she's 25 years old, favors mini-skirts, eyeliner, and long blonde hair, Apollo 8 has gone behind the moon, and Poppy Northcutt holds her breath as the world changes faster than her return-to-earth trajectories can splash those dudes back down.

This performance is part of MACH 33: The Caltech│Pasadena Playhouse Festival of New Science-Driven Plays.

For tickets, please call the Pasadena Playhouse box office at 626-356-7529 or buy online.