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When talking about mental illness, it’s easy to fall into stereotypes or, even worse, the quirky, romanticized shallowness of indie films.
This does not happen with the Explora Theater’s production of “Proof” — no relation to the dead rapper. David Auburn’s script is tight and sharp, addressing the classical line between genius and insanity with human interest and a rather unique framework not often found in theater. Rarely is complex mathematics tackled by a play, even if the proof itself is a bit of a MacGuffin. The play is clever and deep, from the double entendre of the title to the crippling cliff-hanger at the end of the first act that is truly explosive and satisfying.
If that’s not good enough for you, the play also won a Pulitzer, so you know, there’s that.
If you’ve never been to Explora Theater, or only go for the adult singles-night events to pick up science babes, it is an especially tiny space. The first row of seats is perhaps fewer than six inches from the already diminutive stage and the final row is only four chairs back. Most theater spaces in Albuquerque are relatively small, but Explora Theater might be the most intimate.
You might even find it a little intimidating, despite the cuteness.
While the play is a bit long, there are only four characters, giving you a lot of time with each. There is only one setting — a front porch — so the series of dialogues is intense and personal, and the proximity of the action to the audience only amplifies that. With such limited narrative elements, this really puts an emphasis on character and dialogue, making for a stronger and more cohesive story.
Bridget S. Dunne plays Catherine, the lead. Dunne does a fantastic job making a difficult and complex character likable, despite Catherine’s many troubling contentions. Dunne does not simply do this through Catherine’s wit and intellect — her performance gives breath and human empathy to an involving and demanding role.
Christy Lopez plays Claire, Catherine’s more stable and “normal” sister. Lopez has the challenge of playing the closest thing the script has to a “bad guy” while still making the character relatable. Claire is a well-written character who the audience can dislike and sympathize with, and Lopez nails each stroke.
The scenes between the sisters performed by Dunne and Lopez are simply phenomenal. Their energy is fierce and palpable and these sections are certainly the best in the show. They are natural, real and definitely absorbing.
Michael Weppler plays Hal, a rather whelp-ish representation of fragile male ego. Hal exists to make the other people around him look better, and Weppler’s nonplussed performance is a welcome chaser against the rest of the play’s intensity.
As Catherine’s father, Neil Faulconbridge has the least to do in the cast, but he is nevertheless enjoyable to watch.
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The cast members speak with their hands a lot, gesticulating rather wildly to a noticeable degree. This is largely due to the coincidence of having frenetic performers, but when the more handsy of the actors begin dueling in dialogue, it turns into a bit of an overactive thumb war.
Warm PBRs, a Goonies T-shirt and the occasional bizarrely cheesy guitar give “Proof” a unique kind of charm. And if you have an irrational hatred of Gwyneth Paltrow, you might even like it better than the movie version.
Rest in peace, Proof.
“Proof”
by David Auburn
Directed by Beth Welt
Explora Theater
1701 Mountain Road N.W.
Runs through Sunday
Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.
Sunday at 2 p.m.
$8 for members of Explora, American Theatre Guild or Theatre Lovers Community
$10 for nonmembers
Limited seating, reservations recommended
For reservations, call (505) 224-8305 or contact reservations@explora.us
