an Diego Repertory Theatre is presenting the longest running play on Broadway in the last 20 years, “”Proof.”” This stunning production received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2001 and won three Tony Awards that same year, including Best Play. This particular production is powerful and soulful, while infusing enough humor to keep it from becoming overwhelming.
Genius trio: Danica McKella, Sam Woodhouse and Francis Gerke star in the Tony-winning “”Proof.””
“”Proof”” tells the story of Catherine, who has to deal with the death of her father, a famous mathematician, for whom she cares for as he becomes increasingly mentally unstable. Following their father’s death, Catherine’s sister, Claire, wants Catherine to move from Chicago to New York, fearing that Catherine inherited their father’s instability. Meanwhile, Hal, a geeky yet lovable young mathematician, tries to work out his relationship with Catherine while trying to determine if the mathematical proof he’s found is the final great work of Catherine’s father, or the first great work of Catherine’s.
The performances in this production are stellar and appropriate to the tone of the story. Danica McKellar, a graduate of UCLA’s mathematics program, does a wonderful job playing Catherine. Perhaps best known as Winnie from “”The Wonder Years,”” McKellar shines on stage, doing a superb job playing Catherine as a girl with remarkable intelligence, yet full of doubts. Cheryl Kenan Fording gives a strong performance as Claire, Catherine’s sister, who tries with mixed results to understand Catherine and deal with her own decision to remove herself from the day-to-day lives of her sister and father. Fording does a fascinating job of blending the uncertainty of Claire’s choices with her overwhelming desire to help her family.
Francis Gercke plays perhaps the most endearing character, making Hal seem open and caring while still showing his intelligence and charm. He does a marvelous job carrying most of the comic weight of the comedy in the show with superb delivery and timing. Sam Woodhouse, who is also the director, gives a strong performance as Robert, the father. He does an amazing job of showing the love he has for Catherine despite increasingly overwhelming mental problems.
While well done and stupendously performed, this production plays on several stereotypes and popular themes. One of the first things that comes to mind while watching this production is the movie “”A Beautiful Mind,”” which also plays on the idea of mathematical genius and mental illness. Some of the characters also seem to be familiar figures. Claire is the typical New Yorker in the beginning of the play, overly concerned with appearance and friends even in the face of her father’s death. The character of Hal is also portrayed as academics are often depicted, somewhat socially awkward and limited to university life.
Covering such subjects as academia, mental illness and family dynamics, this first-rate production plays to audiences of all kinds, especially here at a university. The strong story and dynamic character interaction are a must see.
“”Proof”” is now playing through Oct. 26 at the Lyceum in Horton Plaza. For tickets, call the box office at (619) 544-1000.
