Rebecca Whatley & David Roth. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
New Edgecliff Theatre wraps up its 15th anniversary season with David Auburn’s 2001 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning “Proof.” An examination of family, genius and madness, the play rose almost instantly to the status of contemporary classic. The script primarily focuses on Catherine, a troubled young woman who has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father Robert, a famous mathematician. Following his death, she is confronted all at once with her own volatile emotions; the arrival of her estranged sister, Claire; and the attentions of Hal, her father’s former student, who hopes to find something of value in the work Robert left behind. All this, added to the discovery of a mysterious notebook, compels Catherine to consider exactly which of her father’s traits she’s inherited.
Former NET Artistic director Greg Procaccino returns to direct David Roth, Liz Smith, Brandon Wentz, and Rebecca Whatley in this acting-centric play, presented in the appropriately intimate environs of the Aronoff Center’s Fifth Third Bank Theater. Procaccino served as Artistic Director for NET from 2006-10, directing such shows as “Fool for Love”, “Fat Pig”, “[title of show]” and “Cyrano Rehearsed”. He says he’s excited to not only be working once again with New Edgecliff, but also to have a crack at this powerful play. As he puts it, “Being back with New Edge makes me smile. I love the people. They did such great work during my time there – made me look real good.” About “Proof” he says, “It’s a beautiful, haunting play about being haunted by your past – your family – the weaknesses in your family that could lead to a painful discovery. The challenge of the play is to just let these people bump up against each other and let their world play out freely in front of the audience.”
Artistic Director Jim Stump feels that “Proof” not only perfectly epitomizes NET’s mission, but also the theme of the company’s 15th season, “NeXt” by, as he says, “exploring the themes of the legacies passed on from generation to generation. Some are tangible such as homes and property. Some are the result of heredity. And sometimes, it’s difficult to know whether they are a blessing or a curse.”
Proof by David Auburn
Directed by Greg Procaccino
Featuring David Roth, Liz Smith, Brandon Wentz, and Rebecca Whatley
April 17th-20th, Wed-Sat 7:30pm / April 23rd-27th, Tues-Sat 7:30pm
Fifth Third Bank Theater at The Aronoff Center for the Arts (entrance on Main Street at the corner of Seventh Street)
Tickets: $25.25 adults, $20.25 seniors, and $17.25 students
For more information or to purchase your tickets, visit CincinnatiArts.org or call (513) 621-ARTS (2787) #
PRELUDE TO A PREMIERE
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 