Love Beyond the Grave

Proof

The dictionary defines proof as an argument or evidence establishing a fact or the truth of a a statement. But in Math, a proof is what lets mathematics work. Without proofs, every mathematical statement would be purely hypothetical. There’d be no absolute truths without them. A proof is the machinery that allows mathematicians to demonstrate, without any question or shadow of a doubt, that a statement is a fact.

In 2000 prolific American playwright David Auburn wrote a drama provocatively entitled PROOF. It became a crowd-pleaser and a critical darling. The show played over 900 performances, making it the longest-running play on Broadway during the 21st century. PROOF won any number of highly respected awards, including the 2001 Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The production also earned its director, Daniel J. Sullivan, and its leading lady, Mary-Louise Parker, the coveted Tony Award. Two years later the play was adapted for the silver screen, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Robert was a world famous mathematical genius, residing and teaching at the University of Chicago. In his final years, he was suffering from mental illness and cared for by his youngest daughter, Catherine. As the play opens, Robert, still in his 50’s, has recently passed away, but Catherine can’t fully let go. Her love beyond the grave allows Catherine to imagine that she still sees and talks with him. It’s late at night and Catherine is about to celebrate her 25th birthday. But she’s startled to find that Hal, one of Robert’s favorite graduate students, is just leaving the house where he’s been going through her father’s notes, papers and sketchbooks. The next day, Catherine’s older sister, Claire, has flown in from New York City to help with Robert’s funeral and convince her younger sister to return to the Big Apple with her.

However unexpectedly, Catherine and Hal’s romantic relationship begins to blossom. In a moment of trust and love Catherine gives Hal a key to the drawer in Robert’s office where she’s kept a secret notebook. When Hal examines the the pages he becomes ecstatic because they contain a detailed, revolutionary new mathematical proof. If it’s not some gibberish scribbled by a mentally ill man, it would open up new frontiers in the mathematical world. Then comes a great confession: Catherine, not Robert, says that she wrote this new paradigm about prime numbers. The title of the play refers both to the mathematical proof in the notebook and whether Catherine can actually provide proof of having invented this new theory.

Directed with a special kind if sensitivity, love and care, Luda Lopatina Solomon has guided her quartet of talented actors to tell Auburn’s story with so much passion and purpose. The production plays upon, inside and around Samantha Rausch’s exquisite set, a house and backyard filled with hidden treasures and designed with gorgeous details. The show’s lit with feeling and finesse by Karina Osbourne in a production that shines in so many ways. And Brandon Reed’s sound design and original music is the icing on the cake.

The four-member cast is brilliant. Catherine is the heartbeat of this story, deftly played by Dana Muelchi. She’s a smart and caring young woman who’s inherited her father’s mathematical genius, but she greatly fears that she’s also inherited her dad’s mental instability. All this effortlessly comes through in her skillful performance, shared with the audience with gusto and grace. Robert, Catherine’s beloved father, is powerfully brought to life by Geoff Isaac. A highly-respected, recently-deceased mathematician, Mr. Isaac plays the bombastic  university professor with a certain amount of modesty and a great deal of devotion.

Callahan Crnich is eager and engaging as Hal. With all the drive and determination of both a driven scientist and a teenage puppy, Mr. Crnich gives balance and meaning to Catherine’s young life as an amiable young mathematician and suitor. As Claire, Catherine’s older, caring but more business-minded sister, Talia Langman is excellent. She’s like the City Mouse revisiting the country. Although originally from Chicago, Claire is constantly trying to sell her sister on how wonderful New York is for starting over. She’s determined to whisk Catherine away from their run-down family home in the Windy City, the painful memories of her dear father and a possible romance with Hal. In her heart, she’s just attempting to make things right and close the door on this chapter of the family’s life.

This production is a gripping, tender, heartbreaking and, at times, humorous drama about families, friendships and finding the words to make oneself heard. It’s about proving that you’re smart and capable and deserving of respect. The play takes the theatergoer in from the beginning and never lets go until the final curtain. And even then the audience will find themselves still thinking about Claire, Robert, Hal and, most especially, Catherine and her deep love beyond the grave.        

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented March 2-April 6 by Bluebird Arts at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the theater or by calling the box office at at 773-975-8150.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.