Proof

Every now and then someone will ask you to review a play that will be closed by the time the review posts. There are all sorts of reasons for that, some better than others. The best reason I’ve had yet to do so was the production of David Auburn’s Proof that played last weekend at the El Portal Theatre. It was a benefit run of four performances to raise money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation to research finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease (and you can still donate now, here’s the link: https://give.michaeljfox.org/fundraiser/7362487). Ed Begley Jr. (who was diagnosed with PD a decade ago) and his daughter Hayden Begley wanted to do a play together while everyone was still at the top of their game, and this production was the result. Although the show is now closed, I’m happy to report that it was superb, with terrific, nuanced performances across the board.

Catherine (Begley) is not in a good place. Although it’s her twenty-fifth birthday, her famed mathematician father Robert (Begley Jr.) died a week ago, and his funeral is tomorrow. Robert had suffered from mental illness for years, and Catherine had been taking care of him. She knows she inherited some of her father’s mathematical talent, but she worries she may end up with his same mental issues. Meanwhile she’s dealing with the presence of one of Robert’s previous students, Hal (Kelly Sry), who’s looking through the many notebooks his mentor left behind for anything important. Catherine’s sister Claire (Kate Woods) has arrived, strongly encouraging her sister to move to New York with her for her own good and abruptly announcing that she intends to sell Robert’s house (which is Catherine’s current home). Catherine, however, has a surprise of her own.

Begley was assured and impressive as Catherine, nailing the humor, anger and anxiety of her character perfectly. It was an award-worthy performance, and she made it seem effortless. Begley Jr. did very moving work as Robert, especially in an Act Two monologue in which fond reveries of September in Chicago and bookstores lead into wishing he could do the work he used to do before his mental illness set in. Sry gives a charming and strong performance as Hal, and Woods is terrific as Claire, whose desire to be helpful comes off as oppressive.

Director Stuart Rogers got outstanding work from his cast, but his concept of the house set cracking and moving to represent Catherine’s emotional or mental state seemed like an unnecessary and distracting addition to the show. Auburn’s Pulitzer and Tony-winning play holds up beautifully twenty-six years after its premiere, still funny and smart and emotionally powerful. It was a great show for a great cause.

Proof was presented by Jason Jeske at El Portal Theatre.