Theater Review: Proof - Edmonds Driftwood Players
Friday, January 15, 2016
PROOF
By David Auburn
Edmonds Driftwood Players
Directed by Rick Wright,
January 14-24, 2016
Review by Doug Gochanour
Proof fits in well to the Driftwood Players’ Theatre of Intriguing Possibilities series. Director Rick Wright captures both humor and suspense in revealing the story behind a famous mathematician, recently deceased following bouts with mental disorder.
The title Proof is indicative of both mathematical truth and the emotional issues of trust in relationships before proof becomes more evident. Love is a leap of faith, demonstrated beautifully by the four exemplary actors in this stellar performance.
Catherine (Justine Scott) had been caring for her father for an extended time. Robert (Eric Bischoff) was an aging professor experiencing an inclination towards mental instability. Following Robert’s death, Catherine inherits his notebooks. She is worried about inheriting Robert's mental illness, as she realizes her own extraordinary mathematical abilities.
Hal (Jordan Fermstad) is the professor's former graduate student. He has been studying the many notebooks Robert left, seeking anything that could be published. Catherine assures Hal that the notebooks are just scribbles and nonsense, as her father was delusional.
The story becomes more complex as Hal and Catherine begin to recognize that they have feelings for each other. Yet, there is suspicion concerning Hal’s motive in searching Robert’s writings. Could he be trying to steal some ideas for publication?
A further complication is the arrival of Claire (Jennifer Makenas), Catherine’s sister. She has arrived for Robert’s memorial celebration. Soon Claire begins to question Catherine’s ability to care for herself, and wonders what the relationship with this Hal person is all about.
Catherine decides to share a key with Hal, to a special desk drawer containing one more notebook. Hal discovers it contains a paradigm-shifting proof regarding prime numbers. Hal and Claire assume it was Robert’s, but Catherine tells them she wrote it. Can she prove it? Will they ever believe that she could write something like that?
Film buffs may recall a 2005 adaptation directed by John Madden and starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Hope Davis, based upon this play.
However, it is so much more rewarding to experience the fine set and wonderful live performance of the Edmonds Driftwood Players at the Wade James Theatre.
Catherine (Justine Scott) had been caring for her father for an extended time. Robert (Eric Bischoff) was an aging professor experiencing an inclination towards mental instability. Following Robert’s death, Catherine inherits his notebooks. She is worried about inheriting Robert's mental illness, as she realizes her own extraordinary mathematical abilities.
Hal (Jordan Fermstad) is the professor's former graduate student. He has been studying the many notebooks Robert left, seeking anything that could be published. Catherine assures Hal that the notebooks are just scribbles and nonsense, as her father was delusional.
The story becomes more complex as Hal and Catherine begin to recognize that they have feelings for each other. Yet, there is suspicion concerning Hal’s motive in searching Robert’s writings. Could he be trying to steal some ideas for publication?
A further complication is the arrival of Claire (Jennifer Makenas), Catherine’s sister. She has arrived for Robert’s memorial celebration. Soon Claire begins to question Catherine’s ability to care for herself, and wonders what the relationship with this Hal person is all about.
Catherine decides to share a key with Hal, to a special desk drawer containing one more notebook. Hal discovers it contains a paradigm-shifting proof regarding prime numbers. Hal and Claire assume it was Robert’s, but Catherine tells them she wrote it. Can she prove it? Will they ever believe that she could write something like that?
There are many twists and turns as Catherine, Hal, and Claire seek the truth about each of their motives, feelings, and plans. You don’t want miss this intrigue.
Film buffs may recall a 2005 adaptation directed by John Madden and starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Hope Davis, based upon this play.
However, it is so much more rewarding to experience the fine set and wonderful live performance of the Edmonds Driftwood Players at the Wade James Theatre.
As Hal says to Catherine as they finally begin to go through the proof notebook, “We may discover something elegant.” You will want to discover this elegant production.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment