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Proof
By David Auburn
Directed by Gregory Gerhard
At The Actor’s Workshop Theatre
1044 W. Bryn Mawr
Chicago, IL
Call 773-728-7529, tickets $20 - $25
Fridays & Saturdays at 8 PM
Sundays at 3 PM
Running time is 2 hours with intermission
Through December 10, 2006
Solid production of Proof awaits
The Actor’s Workshop Theatre has mounted a solid and enjoyable production of David Auburn’s 2001 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award (for Best Play) play, Proof. It is a family drama that deals with letting go of a loved one plus the fear of inheriting mental illness from a parent. When your family dynamic centers on your genius mathematics professor, who happens to be your father and you also have tremendous analytical talent, you worry about becoming a mad as he is. Catherine (Leah Wagner) has been duty-bound to live and care for her father, Robert (Brian Parry) as she has puts her own life on hold in the process.
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The story opens as Robert has just died and Hal (Jason Daniels) is the math professor and former student of Robert’s who is studying Robert’s voluminous writing in search of more insights into math theory. He and Catherine struggle in and out of a relationship as they try to establish enough trust to make it work. When the controlling sister Claire (Jacqueline Grandt) returns from NYC, she insists that Catherine move to New York to live with her and her fiancé implying that Catherine can’t function alone.
Proof plays out as an introduction to the world of madness as Brian Parry brilliantly paints a portrait of a man going from being an eccentric genius to a fully insane excessive-compulsive. We see his loving and nurturing side as he enjoys having his youngest daughter caring for him. His death finds Catherine struggling with her fear that she could be also cursed with genius and madness. Her suitor, Hal and her dominating sister, Claire struggle for control of Catherine. When Hal discovers a new math proof and realizes that Catherine is the author, the stakes get higher as the battle of wills intensifies.
Leah Wagner and Jason Daniels slowly develop romantic sparks while Brian Parry’s Robert deftly defines madness. This is a nicely presented production that delivers Auburn’s intricate drama in an effective understated tone that packs a wallop. Proof is worth seeing.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date reviewed: November 3, 2006
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