David
Auburn's PROOF is one of the most celebrated plays on Broadway in
recent years, winning both the Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize
in drama for 2001. After an over two year sold-out Broadway run, Lakes Area
Community Theatre is one of the first regional theatres to secure the rights
to do an original production of Auburn's award-winning drama that the New
York Daily News calls "Rich and compelling. Full of life, laughter
and hope." PROOF,
directed by Lisa Nichols, runs May 9th through the 17th in the
Lauridsen Performing Arts Theatre at the Lakes Art Center in Okoboji.
PROOF
is about mathematicians, but it's more about what goes on in their hearts than
in their heads. Auburn brings together four characters on the porch of an old
Chicago home to explore the complex formulas of love, trust and fear that bind
a family together, for better or worse. Blending solid storytelling with touches of
contemporary humor, suspense and a quick pace, PROOF introduces Catherine, a young woman who dropped out of college
to care for her father, a renowned mathematician whose brilliance was eclipsed
by serious mental illness. After
his death, she faces longstanding differences with her sister, the surprising
affections of a new suitor, and the fear that she has inherited her father’s
madness as well as his brilliance. When a revolutionary new
mathematical proof is discovered in the family's study, the bonds between all
three are tested to their limits.
Nichols
has painstakingly assembled a cast that is up to the challenge of portraying
Auburn's complex family of characters. “I had to cast four people who are
great thinkers and listeners," Nichols says, "because the nuances of
these family relationships are so important." The cast includes LACT
newcomer Tabitha Kukes (Catherine), a Terril High School student who
has most recently performed in the THS production of HARVEY.
Michael Felton (Robert), founder of Felton Productions, has
been seen numerous times on the stage in the Iowa Great Lakes Region, as well
as Davenport, Chicago and New York. Scott
Dalen (Hal), another LACT newcomer, has performed in high school
productions, with his most recent performance in Estherville Community
Theatre’s production of THE MUSIC MAN.
Julie Clark (Claire) appeared last season on LACT’s stage in SANDER’S
FAMILY CHRISTMAS.
“PROOF
is not a showcase for one actor, but an ensemble piece. Nor is it a play about
math. It’s a play that raises questions about the nature of genius, the
nature of madness, and the thin line that very often exists between the
two,” Nichols said. “The
whole play hinges on the development of characters and the development of
relationships,” she continued. “PROOF
won the Pulitzer Prize because it’s a well-constructed play populated by
intelligent, funny characters. David
Auburn also was awarded the 2001 Tony Award for best play.
The original production closed earlier this year after a more than two
year sold-out run on Broadway.”
The
design team for PROOF includes scenic designer Aaron Nichols, costume
designer Tim McIlrath, lighting designer Jessica Strom, sound designer and
stage manager Brian Kessler, and set decorator and properties master Barb
Worth.
Performance times for PROOF in LAC’s
Lauridsen Performing Arts Theatre May 9-17 are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00
p.m. and Sunday May 11th at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $12 for all
performance times and seat locations. Contains some adult language. For
tickets, visit the Lakes Art Center Box Office or call 712.332.7013.
