Proof at The Stagecrafters Theater

The Stagecrafters theater opens its 2022-2023 season of noteworthy plays and productions with Proof, by David Auburn, written in 2000. The play tells the story of Catherine, a young woman of 25, daughter of an acknowledged mathematical genius. After her fathers death, following years of his severe mental illness throughout which she has served as his caretaker, Catherine is forced to re-evaluate her own life and her blinding fear for her future. She feels that her possibly great aptitude for mathematics might also predispose her like her father to mental collapse. Will a young mathematical scholar, who suddenly appears in Catherines life, help her move on with confidence? This play, one of great emotional and intellectual power, despite the seriousness of its premise, moves fast and smoothly. Its fully human characters sustain our interest throughout. And at times it almost feels like a detective thriller with an ample dose of humor. In the words of a some critics: Nearly twenty years later, the issues and dilemmas [of this play] remain relevant and riveting. (Baltimore City Paper); [Proof] combines elements of mystery and surprise with old-fashioned story-telling to provide a compelling evening of theater. (The Daily News). Proof enjoyed an extended run on Broadway (2000 2003), and it received a number of awards, among others, the Tony Award for Best Play (2001) and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (2001). David Auburn, playwright and screenwriter, wrote Proof as a young man of thirty. Proof remains his best known and most critically acclaimed work. Others of his plays include The Columnist (2012) and Lost Lake (2014).

Authors

• David Auburn