‘Proof’ needs more data
By Juliet Schoen/Staff Writer
“Proof,” the award-winning play at the Wilshire Theater, is entertaining, thought provoking and well acted but the resolution is somewhat unsatisfactory. There are many questions left to be answered.
“Proof” revolves around the daughter of a mathematics genius who made profound discoveries early in his career but later became mentally ill. She cares for him through the years of his illness, giving up her own schooling and career.
Now the professor has died and, on the day before his funeral, his other daughter arrives from New York ready to take over. Also entering the scene is a former student of the father who wishes to study his notes. He discovers a mathematics break-through. The question is, who is responsible?
This is a four-character play, and the fourth is the father himself, dead but still kicking, as he and his daughter call up the past.
Is the daughter as bright as her father and will she become as dotty, too?
Worry, worry.
The writing by David Auburn is bright and witty and the actors take advantage of the intelligent script.
Most compelling is Chelsea Altman as the bright daughter who uses body language as well as a good delivery to convey her mixed-up emotions as she faces the future. As her sister, Tasha Lawrence is convincingly manipulative and Stephen Kunken plays the student with admirable aplomb. Veteran Robert Foxworth is the father, using his experience to do justice to a difficult role. The set, by John Lee Beatty, is a wonderful reproduction of a house in Chicago while the clothes worn by the sisters offer clues on how to dress if (a) you’re confused or (b) you know what you’re doing. Credit goes to Jess Goldstein.
“Proof “is the winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and a Tony for best drama.
Perhaps the message is that love of mathematics conquers all.