First play of the year ‘Proof’s less is more
Most people hate math, yet even theater majors can learn to see the elegance of mathematics, if they see “Proof,” said theatre department Director Adrianne Moore, regarding the department’s first play of the year.
The play is about a crazy, genius math professor and his similarly gifted, yet equally cursed daughter, Catherine. The professor is praised by another character, Hal, who is one of his students and is nowhere near as outstanding a mathematician.
Moore said the characters’ obsessive urges to achieve creative brilliance is something that anyone can relate to — theatre majors, art majors, English majors and, as the play illustrates, math majors.
The play was written by David Auburn and has received both a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award, and was adapted as a major motion picture, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins and Jake Gyllenhaal, Moore said.
The play centers around Catherine, a college dropout and math genius, who spent the past five years caring for her father, who is dead at the present time of the storyline. Throughout the play she often has flashbacks of her father and fears she may be going insane, just as he did.
Eventually, a notebook is found in the drawer of the professor’s desk, which contains a mathematical proof that could revolutionize math and science. Catherine claims she wrote it, but has no proof. Her sister, Claire, and her father’s student, Hal, do not believe her.
“This is really my favorite play in the world,” said Felicia Stehmeier, the USU senior and theatre major playing Catherine. “The audience can relate to the complex relationships in the play, and the characters are far from two dimensional. I am really close with my dad in real life, and so I can empathize with Catherine. Catherine has a much deeper connection than the typical daddy-daughter relationship.”
“Proof” is a play about people and their intricate ideals and thoughts, Stehmeier said.
“This play should really appeal to everyone, because it’s compelling and makes you think,” she said. “Catherine is an incredibly complex character. She’s really smart — a genius actually — but she’s unschooled, because she came back home to take care of her dad. She’s kind of an introvert and is very reserved, but very likable.”
Adam Earl, the USU junior who plays Hal, is also enthusiastic about his character.
“It’s been a fun challenge for me. I have never played a role this large. Because there are only four actors, it really puts the focus on you. I have to push myself. We even had to learn the Chicago dialect.”
“Hal is only 28 years old, and he has his PhD in math. He’s a professor at the University of Chicago and a drummer in a band. He’s charming and passionate about what he does,” Earl added. “If I had taken math from him I might have actually learned to love it.”
However, taking on the role of these characters has had minor side effects on the actors, Stehmeier said. Playing the depressed, struggling Catherine has influenced her own mood.
“Honestly, after rehearsals I don’t want to talk to anyone,” Stehmeier said. “I am glad my roommates are usually asleep when I get home.”
Depression was not the only obstacle the cast had to overcome. Most of the actors had no great love for numbers, Stehmeier said, and had difficulty with the math terms at first.
However, Stehmeier agreed with Moore, who said, “This play really presents math in a new light. Mathematical proofs are described as elegant — daring even. When we think of art we often use such adjectives, but not with math.”
She said another irony of the play is the link between brilliance and madness, as well as the possible hereditary nature of such gifts and curses. Catherine has fallen heir to her father’s intelligence and ingenuity as well as his inclination toward insanity, while her older sister Claire has not inherited her father’s artful mathematical genius. Claire is able to lead a stable, balanced life. Stehmeier said she can certainly relate to that.
“My dad is a math teacher, but I did not inherit that gene at all. I hated math,” she said. “But this play has helped me see things differently and see math — and genius — in a new light. I think it’s interesting how it draws parallels between math and art, and life in general.”
Moore said the play brings up questions about education as well. Catherine’s intellectual capacity comes from what she learned from her father and from herself, not from her few semesters at Northwestern University. She is a smarter character than either Hal or Claire, who are both college educated.
Earl said the play is full of drama and emotion and evokes stimulating questions about multiple issues, but it has plenty of comic relief as well.
“It’s pretty funny. A lot of stuff will crack you up,” he said.
The play is free for all students, and is $8 for faculty. Moore said children are not advised to attend, since the themes are complex and the play includes some profanity.
“Proof” plays Sept. 22-24, and Sept. 26 to Oct. 1. All showings are at 7:30 p.m.
This is a play everyone should come see, Moore said. The actors have done an incredible job taking on their roles: Stehmeier as Catherine, Earl as Hal, USU theatre major Nikki Baum as Claire, and professional actor Ken Hatfield as Catherine’s father.
“The characters are complex, and while their experiences are accessible to the actors, these roles demand considerable craft and technical skill.” Moore said.
There was no consensus among the cast members about which scene is the favorite.
“I don’t think I could pick a favorite scene. I just love the whole play — I love Catherine. This is the best role I have ever played,” Stehmeier said.
Earl’s response was quicker, he smiled and said, “My favorite parts are the love scenes between Catherine and Hal.”
– evan.millsap@aggiemail.usu.edu