'Proof' is breaking new ground
By Julie Jensen, Correspondent, ARGUS/DISPATCH -- November 27, 2002

Chris Jansen, artistic director of New Ground Theatre, is enjoying a reunion with a Brandeis University classmate as she prepares for the opening of ``Proof'' at Rivermont Collegiate on Friday.

Kim Aeby came from Espanola, N.M., to design and build the set for the play, and his credentials are impressive. He has been master scenic artist for the Santa Fe Opera Company, Seattle Rep, the South Florida Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare Santa Fe and Yale Rep.

``All the action happens on the front porch,'' Ms. Jansen said, ``but you can see inside the house and around the yard. Those garbage cans were all weathered at my house.''

Mr. Aeby goes on working, but Ms. Jansen takes some time out to talk. ``He's staying with us, and he'll spend 10 days on the project, doing the huge bulk of the building and painting. He's also doing the lighting design, and he's working for peanuts.''

Susan McDonald is doing the sound design, and Ms. Jansen said, ``This is the first time I have had a sound designer, and she has wonderful ideas.''

About the play, which she is directing, she said, ``I had to direct this one. It's just too cool, and it speaks to me. Its awards are incredible, and it deserves them. It is really well-crafted, and it won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for drama and the Tony for Best Play of the Year.

``This is David Auburn's breakthrough play, and I hope we will hear more from him.''

Aside from ``a bit of language'' in the play, it is appropriate for any age, she said, adding, ``It held my kids' attention during rehearsal.'' Son Beau is 11 and daughter Kylie is 7.

``Proof'' is a love story, ``the lightest play we are offering this season,'' she said. ``It explores the line between genius and madness -- sort of like the theme of `A Beautiful Mind.' The main character's father has just died. He was a brilliant mathematician but crazy as a loon.

``The daughter is trying to figure out how much of her father's genius she inherited and how much of his instability. It takes place in Chicago, and I believe this is the Midwest premiere of the play.''

Robert, the father, is played by Pat Flaherty; Catherine, the daughter, is played by Jamie Johnson; Hal, one of Robert's former students, is played by Matt Davis; and Claire, Catherine's sister, is played by Kristin Skaggs.

The run is Friday through Sunday and Dec. 5-8 with matinees Saturday, Dec. 7, and both Sundays. Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m. and matinees are at 2 p.m.

A free reception to meet the actors will follow the opening-night performance Friday, and there will be free baby-sitting for children 3 and up during the 2 p.m. matinee on Dec. 7.

``Some of the early childhood aides at Rivermont will have fun things for the kids to do,'' Ms. Jansen said, ``but you need to call and say you are coming.''

To order tickets call (563) 326-7529.

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