{"id":363407,"date":"2025-01-20T15:10:49","date_gmt":"2025-01-20T20:10:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/?p=363407"},"modified":"2025-01-20T15:10:49","modified_gmt":"2025-01-20T20:10:49","slug":"prize-winning-play-proof-is-well-worth-watching-at-compass-rose-theater","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2025\/01\/20\/prize-winning-play-proof-is-well-worth-watching-at-compass-rose-theater\/","title":{"rendered":"Prize-winning play ‘Proof’ is well worth watching at Compass Rose Theater"},"content":{"rendered":"

Compass Rose Theater\u2019s production of Proof<\/em> is a thoughtful exploration of genius and mental health. David Auburn\u2019s play \u2014 which won a Pulitzer Prize, a Tony Award, and a Drama Desk Award \u2014 follows a young woman struggling with her brilliant but troubled mathematician father\u2019s legacy. Directed by Stephen Emery, it shows the power and complications of family and relationships.<\/p>\n

Sydne Lyons plays Catherine, the daughter caring for her father, with a hidden rage. Initially dismissive of Hall (Julian Borris), one of her father\u2019s former students, and his attempts to engage her, she turns on him when she suspects him of betraying her father, demanding his backpack. She rails at her sister Claire (Beth Amann) for being away during their father\u2019s decline, only now returning to \u201cfix\u201d things. She cries while discovering her father\u2019s supposed breakthrough is in fact a setback.<\/p>\n

\"\"
J.R. Hontz (Robert) and Sydne Lyons (Catherine) in \u2018Proof.\u2019 Photo by Joshua Hubbell.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

J.R. Hontz gives an intensity to Robert, a brilliant mathematician. He humorously complains about pasta in a discussion about dinner, then leaps up energetically upon finding a solution. Shivering while working outside in the cold, he almost manically explains to Catherine how good it feels to work again, how this is a turning point. Discovering it is not, he begins weeping.<\/p>\n

Julian Borris plays Hal, Robert\u2019s former student now going through his papers, with great enthusiasm. He speaks in awe of Robert\u2019s genius, wanting to see if he produced anything during his decline. He also tries to entice Catherine to watch his band perform, which he admits is \u201cterrible\u201d but clever. He combines a love of math and discovery with a grounding in other interests and relationships.<\/p>\n

Beth Amman brings a practicality to Catherine\u2019s sister Claire. Asking Catherine probing questions, she slowly but firmly urges her to go back with her to New York. They have short, clipped conversations before Claire bursts into a defense of her actions and reasonings. She gives Hal a necessary document, knowing he would know what to do with it, after admonishing him for his behavior with Catherine.<\/p>\n

\"\"
TOP: Beth Amann (Claire) and Julian Borris (Hal); ABOVE: Sydne Lyons (Catherine) and J.R. Hontz (Robert), in \u2018Proof.\u2019 Photos by Joshua Hubbell.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Set Designer Isabel DeCarvalho creates a weathered outdoor porch with chairs and tables scattered throughout. Equations and math questions cover the walls and even the chair legs. Costume and Prop Designer Susan Flynn dresses the characters in casual outfits making each immediately recognizable. Catherine begins in pajama pants and a sweatshirt, while Claire looks slightly more businesslike in a jacket and slacks.<\/p>\n

Lighting Designer Marianne Meadows dims the lights at the end of each scene, while Sound Designer Ryan Squires throws out the sound of police sirens in one scene. Director Stephen Emery creates an intimate feel; the characters are almost like old friends whose conversations and uncertainties the audience overhears. No knowledge of math is needed. Proof<\/em> is a quietly moving show, well worth watching.<\/p>\n

Running Time: Two hours, including one 15-minute intermission.<\/p>\n

Proof<\/strong><\/em><\/a> plays through February 9, 2025 (Friday at 8 pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm), presented by Compass Rose Theater <\/a>performing at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts (third floor), 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD. Tickets ($15\u2013$55 plus fees) can be purchased online<\/strong><\/a> or by calling the box office at 410-980-6662.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In this intimate and moving production, the characters become like old friends whose conversations and uncertainties the audience overhears. By CHARLES GREEN<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":363418,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[53,54],"class_list":{"0":"post-363407","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-reviews","8":"tag-david-auburn","9":"tag-stephen-emery"},"acf":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\nPrize-winning play 'Proof' is well worth watching at Compass Rose Theater - 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