A Rock Sails By Review

The Suffield Players chose a thought-provoking play to start its 2025-2026 season! A Rock Sails By, by Sean Grennan, dives into the world and mind of Dr. Lynn Cummings, a brilliant scientist, a renowned astrophysicist, a tenured college professor, a mother, and recently, a grieving widow. Together we travel along with Lynn, on her emotional journey after the death of her husband Tom.

The play explores the tension between scientific certainty and emotional truth, and whether the belief in the supernatural can coexist with rationalism. A Rock Sails By is not so much about aliens, as it is about processing grief and finding meaning in life, since not all truth can be scientifically proven and measured.

More specifically, the play asks the question: Can there be room for wonder, belief, or the supernatural within a logical, scientific mind? When Dr. Cummings states: “There are in fact two things, science and opinion; the former begets knowledge, the latter ignorance” the audience knows where she initially stands. But Dr. Cummings also attempts to reach beyond science when she announces: “I want to know. What is the point?” Dr. Cummings, grief-stricken from loss, questions the meaning of life, and this is one of the most powerful moments in the play, delivered beautifully by actress Linda Storms, who adeptly plays the part of a brilliant but grieving spouse who is also in the early stages of experiencing the loss of her own memory.

A mysterious rock, which reporter Jason Harper suggests may be an alien probe, is scheduled to pass through our solar system. Jason’s genuine curiosity challenges Dr. Cummings and shows he’s more than just a sensationalist tabloid reporter for a rag magazine after “clicks,” but is the play’s unexpected philosopher. Jason, played by actor Jamie Reopell, brings out his character’s persistence, empathy, and ability to be disarmingly honest and open to possibilities, even if they seem improbable or unprovable.

Lynn’s daughter Olive, who is more emotionally open and spiritual, serves as a foil to her reserved and skeptical mother. Olive, played by actress Krystle Bernier, shows the audience her compassion and care for her mother, and helps Lynn to accept that science does not have all the answers. Lynn’s late husband Tom, played by actor Rick O’Neil, is warm and supportive, and even humorous at times, as he helps guide Lynn through her grief.

As Dr. Cummings becomes more interested in the study of this strange rock that represents the unknown, she receives a mysterious visitor – the enigmatic Messenger – possibly an alien, an angel, or an emotional projection. The Messenger, played by actor Joe Lessard, poetically offers wisdom and portrays the embodiment of that “something more” that may be out there.

Even though it is never revealed whether this figure is real, the encounter serves as a vital catalyst for Dr. Cummings’ emotional breakthrough, where she is compelled to confront the limits of logic and the possibilities of belief. Lynn learns to work out her grief — to live, to love, and to heal, despite existing in a world of scientific unknowns.