Reviewed by Bethany Leslie
When one thinks of family, especially in the modern-day, there are various things to consider. Relationships, love, who takes of whom, struggles, support, acceptance, and much more. But does one also have to take into consideration medical and mental diagnosis?
Until the last ten years, give or take, mental health was not something that people openly talked about, especially when it was within their own family. Yet, the worry was still there—will I inherit what they had? That question, along with many others, is what author David Auburn explores in his play Proof now playing at UofM-Flint Theatre.
As the story starts, the audience comes to find that genius mathematician Doctor Robert (played by Dan Gerics) has recently died. The family and fellow mathematicians are gathering for his funeral the following day. However, leading up to this event, his daughter, Catherine “Cathy” (Bethann Sampson), has been taking care of him at home. Robert’s once sharp mind has been turning mush. Think along the lines of Alzheimer’s, but also with his long-term math memory also failing–
“X equals four months of cold, November through February, cold, cold, X=cold, I am cold..”
The difficulty is that Catherine is not only dealing with five years of caretaker stress, but also her own balancing act of early early twenties life and decisions and her depression and fears that she will be like her dad mentally—both in the good and hard ways. While the audience does see aspects of where her fear may be coming from, one definition of the title Proof comes into question—where is the proof? Is Cathy’s struggles the same disease that her dad has? Will her own math career fail even before it starts?
The second side to the term Proof is that of a mathematical equation. This is where Hal (Logan Reeves), a former graduate student of Robert’s comes into play. Hal finds a notebook with an amazing new math proof. Since Cathy directed Hal to where to find this book, in Robert’s office, questions arise. Did Robert write the proof? Did Cathy? And where is the proof of who wrote the proof? Add in the ever-doubting sister, Claire (Layna Bollwitt), and you have the last of the four characters for this two-hour show.
At the start of the show, there was a lot of exposition to get through to lay the foundation for the rest of story. The cast covered much of this well, but, at times, it did feel too rushed and lacking the emotional depth. However, as the play progressed, the actors settled into the circumstances and took the audience with them. One in particular is the chemistry built between Hal and Cathy (Reeves and Sampson).
The stand-out couple though was father and daughter (Gerics and Sampson). Both of them had so much to balance with other relationships, past and present scenes, and the emotional and mental scope of the show. The choice to use UofM staff member, and professional actor, Gerics to play the father role was so wise by director Stephanie Dean. The role would not have been the same if a college student had played it. While, with age and experience the depth and richness of the character will grow, Sampson did quite well to bring Cathy to life in this production! She certainly held her own through all the dialogue, relationships, and complications of Cathy’s life.
On the technical side, the back porch setting that Lisa Borton and the team were able to put together was beautiful and felt so homey and real. Then the decision to move the audience seating even closer for more of a black box setting, along with Doug Mueller’s lighting design, added to the intimate relationships, topics, and overall feel of the show.
Applause to the University of Michigan-Flint for picking this production, and all the cast and crew for putting it together. May the conversations not stop about what one’s parents do impart to their children, while also areas where one can go above and beyond that genetic influence. The topic and material are quite powerful and worth taking a visit to the UofM-Flint Theatre to see.
Proof runs through March 30, 2024, at the University of Michigan-Flint University Theatre on Kearsley Street Downtown Flint. For tickets or more information, contact the box office at 810-237-7333 or go to https://www.umflint.edu/case/theatre-dance/.
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