The Broadway revival of David Auburn’s acclaimed, Tony- and Pulitzer-winning play Proof is generating buzz, having officially opened at the Booth Theatre on April 16. Previews for the production commenced on March 31. Directed by Tony Award winner Thomas Kail (known for Hamilton) and produced by Mike Bosner and Kail, this highly anticipated revival is scheduled for a strictly limited 16-week engagement.
This Pulitzer-winning drama stars Ayo Edebiri (from The Bear) as Catherine and Don Cheadle (from Hotel Rwanda) as Robert. They are joined by Jin Ha (from Pachinko) in the role of Hal, and two-time Tony Award winner Kara Young (from Purpose) portraying Claire.
Proof delves into the life of the daughter of a recently deceased, brilliant mathematician. She faces the challenge of authenticating a significant mathematical proof discovered among her father’s papers, all while grappling with his complex legacy of genius and mental illness.
The initial critical responses are listed below.
1 Minute Critic (Matthew Wexler)
The Chicago Tribune (Chris Jones)*
Entertainment Weekly (Emlyn Travis)
Lighting and Sound America (David Barbour)
New York Magazine/Vulture (Sara Holdren)*
New York Post (Johnny Oleksinski)
New York Stage Review (Steven Suskin, Roma Torre)
New York Theater (Jonathan Mandell)
New York Theatre Guide (Joe Dziemianowicz)
The New York Times (Helen Shaw)*
The Wall Street Journal (Charles Isherwood)*
Please note: Reviews marked with an asterisk (*) may require creating a free account or a paid subscription for full access.
Playbill will continue to update this list as more reviews are received.
David Auburn’s Proof first premiered Off-Broadway at Manhattan Theatre Club in 2000, quickly selling out its initial run before transferring to Broadway. There, it garnered three Tony Awards, including the coveted Best Play. The original Broadway production concluded on January 5, 2003, following an impressive 917 performances at the Walter Kerr Theatre, setting a new venue record for a play. In 2001, Proof was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and in 2005, it was adapted into a feature film starring Anthony Hopkins and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Kail’s creative team features Kris Bowers (composer), Teresa L. Williams (scenic designer), Dede Ayite (costume designer), Amanda Zieve (lighting designer), Justin Ellington and Connor Wang (sound designers), Mia Neal (hair and wig designer), Daniel Swee (casting director), and Sara Gammage (production stage manager). Baseline Theatrical is serving as the general manager for this production.