A fascination of math and romance comes in full swing in the University of Idaho theatre department”s first play of the semester.
David Auburn”s “Proof” – a 2001 Pulitzer Prize winner in Drama – focuses on a 25-year-old girl named Catherine who”s struggling to maintain good self-esteem as well as her relationship with her sister Claire.
The mystery of the play involves an individual who wrote a mysterious notebook that”s been a part of the family for a year, leaving Catherine to wonder whether she has inherited her father”s mathematic knowledge, and whether it should be considered a blessing or madness.
Director Robert Caisley, a recipient of a 2015 Fellowship in Performing and Media Arts in playwriting from the Idaho Commission on the Arts, said he”s been interested in working on “Proof” for several years and admires Auburn”s work.
“The genius of Auburn”s play rests not in his ability to weave a genuinely gripping mathematical mystery into his plot without it bogging down in incomprehensible theory, but in his ability to make us look beyond the math to see what the real subject of his play is.
“The equally complex equation of the family – how in caring deeply for another we can both gain and lose parts of our self in equal measure, “Caisley said.
Caisley said the play is well-constructed and focuses on the dynamics of family, which has prompted both challenges and joys throughout rehearsal.
Nina Rydalch | Rawr
Bill Caisley, acting as “Robert,” speaks animatedly with fellow actor “Hal” as “Catherine” sits on the porch during rehearsal of Proof on the evening of Oct. 2 in the Hartung Theatre.
“Love and trust can sometimes be very fleeting, but other times as infinite as the universe itself,” Caisley said. “The play is really concerned with the themes of trust in family and relationships.”
Bill Caisley, who portrays Catherine and Claire”s dad – a mathematics professor at the University of Chicago – said the play provides various elements of drama, romance, mystery, and comedy.
Bill Caisley said the play itself brings the story to life in a way that will grab the audience”s attention.
“For people who don”t know the play, it”s going to be quite a bit of a shock,” Bill Caisley said. “It comes to life which has been developed and rehearsed while seeing the humor and drama in it becomes a different animal all together.”
Lilia Houshmand, a University of California, Berkley graduate who plays the role of Catherine said her character has challenged her as an actress.
“Stamina has been something for me that I”ve worked on for this show,” Houshmand said. “Playing a character that has anxiety and depression is something you can”t necessarily play that on stage for two hours long “¦ I relate a lot to Catherine and a lot of the questions she”s asking herself.”
Bailie Simpson, who plays Catherine”s sister, is the only undergraduate student performing in “Proof.”
Simpson describes her character as being pushy and bossy, but someone who genuinely cares about her sister.
Simpson said her role has demanded a lot from her because of the contrasting personalities Claire and Catherine have with each other.
Houshmand said the characters portrayed in “Proof” have a powerful message that the audience, especially students can relate to.
“That search that we all have as students for work ethic but also trying to find that we”re not alone,” Houshmand said. “You need to trust your own abilities, have faith and grace for yourself … But also knowing that people are there for you rather than doing it on your own.”
The production also features Alex Wendel and understudies Emily Mosset and Mason Clark.
The performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15-17 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Hartung Theatre.
Admission is free for students, $15 for adults, $10 for faculty, staff and seniors (55+), and $5 for children (12 and under).
“I hope that everyone that comes to see this show takes away something that is meaningful for them,” Houshmand said. “Whether it be from Catherine or Hal, either one of the characters, I hope that they find some solace and also some questions.”
Luis Torres can be reached at [email protected]