Last Chance to Catch "Proof"

Saturday is your last chance to catch Proof, the play about a young woman, her difficult relationship with her father (who is a math genius and mentally disturbed), her controlling sister and a young man who changes her life.

I can recommend the show wholeheartedly because I was at Friday night's performance and enjoyed it tremendously.

As a self-admitted math geek, I enjoyed the references to the field of mathematics, but it's also a very personal tale of relationships and facing life's challenges.

Most of us dread the thought that we might be just like our parents, and that's the fear that strikes the acerbic and intelligent Catherine (played by Adrienne Goodwin). She has great aptitude at math, just like her father (played by Clint McElroy). But does she also share his madness?

The story is further complicated by her growing relationship with one of her father's former students, Hal (played by Patrick Taylor), and her struggles with her sister Claire (played by Shelby Brewster).

It's a sharp, well-written play by David Auburn. The characters are real, the situations clever and heart-rending (and sometimes very funny).

I should also mention the set designed by James Morris-Smith, which recreates the backyard of a home in Chicago. It's amazingly realistic, down to the shrubs, trash cans, trees and the leaves on the ground (gathered from his backyard). Very impressive!

With so many light and fluffy plays around, it's a real delight to find one that challenges you mentally and emotionally. There are no easy answers in this show - and that's one of the things that makes it a real delight.

Kudos to the outstanding cast, to director Jack Cirillo and to the excellent tech crew - great work all around!

Remember, last chance to catch Proof is Saturday night at 8 p.m. at Marshall's Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.

Highly recommended!