may

27

FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

May 27, 2011 Proof, play. By David Auburn, directed by James Rice, and produced by Huntington Beach Playhouse, the play concerns Catherine, the daughter of a recently deceased mathematical genius and professor at the University of Chicago. Catherine had cared for her father through a lengthy mental illness. Upon her father's death, his ex-graduate student Hal discovers proof about prime numbers in the dad's office. The title refers to that proof and to the play's central question: Can Catherine prove the proof's authorship? Along with demonstrating the proof's authenticity, the daughter also finds herself in a relationship with 28-year-old Hal. Throughout, the play explores Catherine's fear of following in her father's footsteps, both mathematically and mentally and her desperate attempts to stay in control. Location: 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach, CA. Box office: (714) 375-0696. hbph.com