'Proof' provides entertaining theater
By Jeff Dick, Staff Writer, ARGUS/DISPATCH -- December 4, 2002

A mathematical genius touched by madness, an imaginary conversation between characters... Hmmm, sounds reminiscent of last year's Oscar-winning film ``A Beautiful Mind,'' doesn't it?

That's where the superficial similarities end, though, in New Ground Theatre's production of the Tony Award and Pulitizer Prize-winning play ``Proof,'' written by David Auburn and directed by Chris Jansen.

The story concerns a brilliant but crazy Chicago-area math professor, Robert (Pat Flaherty), whose daughter, Catherine (Jamie Em Johnson), has long been caring for him at the expense of her own studies.

Enter a one-time student of Robert's, Hal (Matt Davis), who's been sorting through the prof's notebooks in search of some undiscovered ``proofs'' -- equations that show commonly held mathematical theories to, in fact, be true.

Whether Hal is doing this digging for the good of his vocation or merely to pad his own resume is a question Catherine skeptically deals with -- even as she hooks up with him romantically.

Meanwhile, Catherine's older sister, Claire (Kristin M. Skaggs), has dropped in from New York -- supposedly to help out, but hers is the kind of assistance that, however well-meaning, gets interpreted as meddling.

To reveal much more of the plot would involve spoilers. Suffice it to say that there are a few twists along the way, including a pre-intermission revelation that puts a new spin on one assumption.

As Catherine, Jamie Em Johnson seems a bit young to be playing a 25-year-old. But her general ease and skill with the role -- which involves considerable mood swings, among other changes -- manage to make the performance work.

Veteran local actor Pat Flaherty is quite accomplished as the father who's given to abrasive nurturing and displays of temper. One outburst had the audience holding its collective breath.

Kristin M. Skaggs has the thankless role of the elder sibling; still, she finds a decent balance between annoyingly presuming what's best for Catherine and a believable sense of caring.

Perhaps the most pleasant surprise is the Quad-Cities-area stage debut of Matt Davis, a familiar face as reporter and news anchor for KWQC-TV. His role is a tricky one that he ends up pulling off quite nicely. One thing for sure: he gives great diffidence.

On a technical level, New Ground's mounting of ``Proof'' looks good, with one minor exception. The front porch where all the action takes place appears properly weathered, and the view inside through the front door includes realistic details, such as book-lined shelves.

However, when certain characters are thumbing through supposedly formula-filled notebooks, it's obvious (from the second row, anyway) that the pages are blank. (Note to set designer: You put liquid in the wine and whiskey bottles; so, please scribble something -- anything -- in pages that are in plain sight.)

As a play, ``Proof'' may be a bit overpraised; but, it's a provocative work of ideas -- not rendered too technically -- and turbulent family dynamics. As one might expect, the title has more than one meaning.

Now in its second season, New Ground Theatre continues to offer contemporary, cutting-edge drama. And ``Proof'' just provides more evidence.

Held at Becherer Hall at Rivermont Collegiate, 1821 Sunset Drive, Bettendorf, performances are today, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., plus Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. General admission is $12; students and seniors, $10.

For tickets or more information, call (563) 326-PLAY.

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