PROOF 2026 Reviews- Page 2
PROOF 2026 Reviews
PROOF 2026 Reviews#25
Posted: 4/17/26 at 11:17am
CoffeeBreak said: "The Lost Boys(with the mostrehearsal/tech/preview time) ."
I take your word that this is true for the Broadway production, but one should also point out that it's the only new musical not to have had one or more previous productions, so it makes perfect sense that it would need more time to work the kinks out before an official opening.
PROOF 2026 Review - 1 Minute Critic#26
Posted: 4/17/26 at 11:45am
1 Minute Critic - 2 out of 5 stars
Ayo Edebiri, Don Cheadle, and a Broadway revival that doesn’t add up
Thomas Kail’s production plays out on Teresa L. Williams’ backyard set, trimmed with Amanda Zieve’s linear transitional lighting that feels a bit on the nose for familiar chalkboard problem-solving. But the bigger issue is Edebiri’s strained performance, which feels trapped in the actor’s throat, only to explode in a few moments of visible direction. And despite Jin Ha’s soft charisma, the pair’s chemistry feels dutiful to the script rather than an authentic connection.
Proof’s original production became one of the longest-running Broadway plays of the 21st century. Maybe some memories are best left in the past. Read our full review - it only takes a minute.
Broadway Star Joined: 11/18/13
PROOF 2026 Review - 1 Minute Critic#27
Posted: 4/17/26 at 11:51am
I feel confident in saying Marylouise Burke is getting into best featured. The real question is if Nixon or Young is getting the fifth slot. Nixon was wonderful but the historical precedent of Squibb being nominated and potentially winning means she’s a lock over her.
Updated On: 4/17/26 at 11:51 AM
PROOF 2026 Review - 1 Minute Critic#28
Posted: 4/17/26 at 12:09pm
I wouldn't be surprised if Proof were shut out entirely.
Broadway Star Joined: 11/18/13
PROOF 2026 Review - 1 Minute Critic#29
Posted: 4/17/26 at 12:12pm
TotallyEffed said: "I wouldn't be surprised if Proof were shut out entirely."
This is more or less my feeling. I thought this was a terrible production of a great play. They aren’t receiving any design nominations, and if any performance is honored it’s Cheadle’s (but probably not)
PROOF 2026 Review - 1 Minute Critic#30
Posted: 4/17/26 at 12:15pm
Falsettolands said: "I feel confident in saying Marylouise Burke is getting into best featured. The real question is if Nixon or Young is getting the fifth slot. Nixon was wonderful but the historical precedent of Squibb being nominated and potentially winning means she’s a lock over her."
Burke is fantastic for sure, but there are at least 15 truly viable candidates by my count, more or less depending on committee rulings. I would not be surprised if we ended up with a tie for 5th that allows a 6th nominee.
Broadway Star Joined: 11/18/13
PROOF 2026 Review - 1 Minute Critic#31
Posted: 4/17/26 at 12:21pm
quizking101 said: "Falsettolands said: "I feel confident in saying Marylouise Burke is getting into best featured. The real question is if Nixon or Young is getting the fifth slot. Nixon was wonderful but the historical precedent of Squibb being nominated and potentially winning means she’s a lock over her."
Burke is fantastic for sure, but there are at least 15 truly viable candidates by my count, more or less depending on committee rulings. I would not be surprised if we ended up with a tie for 5th that allows a 6th nominee."
The difference is that Marylouise Burke is not just a strong contender because of her performance, This is also a legacy nomination. Regardless of how one may feel about that.
PROOF 2026 Review - 1 Minute Critic#32
Posted: 4/17/26 at 12:26pm
Falsettolands said: "TotallyEffed said: "I wouldn't be surprised if Proof were shut out entirely."
This is more or less my feeling. I thought this was a terrible production of a great play. They aren’t receiving any design nominations, and if any performance is honored it’s Cheadle’s (but probably not)"
I thought Cheadle was absolutely horrible.
Broadway Star Joined: 11/1/23
PROOF 2026 Review - 1 Minute Critic#33
Posted: 4/17/26 at 12:39pm
OhHiii said: "Ensemble1698878795 said: "“Better shows” don’t always equal nominations. It’s fascinating to watch you latch onto shows and people you don’t like and try to smear their validity at every turn. đŸ™„"
The conversation is about predicting who gets into an awards category. Get a grip."
You can’t read and that’s a you problem.
PROOF 2026 Review - 1 Minute Critic#34
Posted: 4/17/26 at 12:46pm
74 on Broadway Scorecard, worth seeing. Good, with reservations.
“Edebiri and Cheadle earn strong praise in this well-crafted revival of Auburn's Pulitzer winner, though some critics find the production competent but lacking emotional fire compared to the original.”
https://broadwayscorecard.com/show/proof
PROOF 2026 Reviews#35
Posted: 4/17/26 at 1:06pm
Holdren's Vulture review was evidently posted last night but I didn't find it when looking earlier today and only just came across it on the NYMag home page. Eloquently stated and a good read as always.
https://www.vulture.com/article/theater-review-proof-auburn-cheadle-edebiri.html
"If Proof can still sparkle and snap, Kail isn’t proving it. And despite their eminent likability, Ayo Edebiri and Don Cheadle — in the central roles of Catherine and her father, Robert — may even be the wrong actors.
I say “despite,” but the truth is that Edebiri and Cheadle both face a challenge here, one that Kail isn’t helping them to meet with full ferocity: As performers who naturally channel decency, they are not playing nice characters."
...
"Catherine is all defensive spikes, while Robert, both dead and alive, can be withering in his judgment. “Claire’s done well for herself,” he says, in a moment of flashback, about Catherine’s older sister (played by the national treasure Kara Young), a currency analyst in New York who keeps trying to lure Catherine back toward social normality. “I’m satisfied with her. I’m proud of you.” It’s a line that should be intimate and devastating at the same time, but in the overall warmth of Cheadle’s performance, you’d be forgiven for missing it. Surely he could adjust the temperature and focus of the role — and so could Edebiri, who defaults to the kind of outward, slightly floppy self-effacement and internal “I’m taken for granted” chagrin that worked so well for her as Sydney on The Bear. It’s a mode she’s very good at, but it’s not quite enough to juice up a whole play’s engine in the way that it has to here, and Kail isn’t pushing for more oomph. He’s letting both of Proof’s prickly protagonists get too cuddly, and so the tension slackens, air leaks from the seams, and the whole vessel starts to wobble and sink."
PROOF 2026 Reviews#36
Posted: 4/17/26 at 1:42pm
TotallyEffed said: “I thought Cheadle was absolutely horrible."
Cheadle has no shot. His reviews, while somewhat more polite, are on par with Adrien Brody in terms of having “Well, he was there” tilt to it.
The fundamental issue with Cheadle that was similarly cited was that he seemed far too easygoing and never gave enough of an impression to have the specter of his genius hanging over the whole play when he isn’t on stage. That mad genius energy did not exist
PROOF 2026 Reviews#37
Posted: 4/17/26 at 1:45pm
He was so casual, like he was reading a grocery list out loud for the first time.
Broadway Star Joined: 11/1/23
PROOF 2026 Reviews#38
Posted: 4/17/26 at 1:51pm
quizking101 said: "TotallyEffed said: “Ithought Cheadle was absolutely horrible."
Cheadle has no shot. His reviews, while somewhat more polite, are on par with Adrien Brody in terms of having “Well, he was there” tilt to it.
The fundamental issue with Cheadle that was similarly cited was that he seemed far too easygoing and never gave enough of an impression to havethe specter of his genius hanging over the whole play when he isn’t on stage. That mad genius energy did not exist"
I blame this on direction. It was obvious Kail didn’t pick a tone. Cheadle felt lost, but he is a solid actor elsewhere.
PROOF 2026 Reviews#40
Posted: 4/20/26 at 4:33pm
Ensemble1698878795 said: "I blame this on direction. It was obvious Kail didn’t pick a tone. Cheadle felt lost, but he is a solid actor elsewhere."
He’s not exactly a natural stage actor and hasn’t had a stage role in 25 years. In terms of major productions, he has 3 credits in 37 years.
Direction is partially to blame, but I think Cheadle really just dialed himself in as if he was performing for a camera and not a 700-seat theatre.
If they remade the film, I’m sure he’d be great - but this isn’t a film. You have two screen performers and two stage performers, and so the acting dynamics are already at odds.
PROOF 2026 Reviews#41
Posted: 4/20/26 at 9:17pm
If they remade the film, I’m sure he’d be great - but this isn’t a film. You have two screen performers and two stage performers, and so the acting dynamics are already at odds."
I know this is asked of every other production these days, but do we think this could be filmed in some capacity? Between the star power of its cast and the Obamas as producers, it feels like something that could get a proshot for Netflix, PBS, or some other platform.
PROOF 2026 Reviews#42
Posted: 4/29/26 at 7:16am
Don Cheadle and Ayo Edebiri Are Giving ‘Proof’ a New Meaning
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/29/theater/don-cheadle-ayo-edebiri-proof-broadway.html?unlocked_article_code=1.elA.EGEX.7IaLexT2Awj6&smid=nytcore-android-share
PROOF 2026 Reviews#43
Posted: 4/29/26 at 6:58pm
In my latest piece for Gold Derby, I dig into how Kara Young is on the verge of potentially becoming the first actor in history to have been Tony nominated five years in a row.
https://www.goldderby.com/theater/2026/tonys-kara-young-first-actor-nominated-5-years-in-a-row/
PROOF 2026 Reviews#44
Posted: 5/2/26 at 11:23pm
i guess i understand the tepid response to this, because its nothing groundbreaking, but i thought it was a fine production of an excellent play. i saw this when i was in high school (with anne heche) and it felt new to me.
yes, cheadle feels very slight, in a way that matches his onstage daughter (edibiri). they both choose (or were directed) to never turn the flame up- its frustrating on one level, but it works? meaning i wasnt bored, and the play felt creaky but compelling. a tribute to David Auburn more than the actors but hard to argue with an engaging 2.5 hours.
edibiri seems perfectly cast for this, but shes SO low key, and doesnt give much more than we get from her on the bear. her nuance works up close, but doesnt translate as well on stage. i was particularly disappointed in the absence of any humor/wit from her (which i think mary louise parker nailed). BUT she did a fine subtle job bouncing between the present/past versions of Catherine, and i think she nailed the end of the play.
other than purlie victorious, ive never understood the kara young worship- shes a fine actress, dont get me wrong, and she does a fine job here. shes the loudest/most expressive of the bunch and at least finds some humor at times. i think cheadle is an excellent actor, and seemed at home on stage, but never showed any hint of delusion. there was no edge to this guy, which worked in Act 1 but undercut Act 2.
the set/lighting was simple but elegant. the ending moment was moving and perfectly placed. in a season with knockout revivals like Death of a Salesman and clever modern twists like Oedipus, i get how this falls through the cracks, but I thought it was a solid night.
PROOF 2026 Reviews#45
Posted: 5/7/26 at 2:05pm
Adrienne Warren will be taking over for Kara Young, starting 6/30. Young will be departing for The Whoopi Monologues at LCT, which was previously announced.
Broadway Star Joined: 11/18/13
PROOF 2026 Reviews#46
Posted: 5/7/26 at 2:09pm
Kad said: "Adrienne Warren will be taking over for Kara Young, starting 6/30. Young will be departing for The Whoopi Monologues at LCT, which was previously announced."
I thought this was a dreadful revival, but...I WILL be returning to see this.
PROOF 2026 Reviews#47
Posted: 5/7/26 at 2:23pm
Kind of funny that both replacement actresses for Claire have created more buzz/excitement than the originally scheduled actress (Samira Wiley)
PROOF 2026 Reviews#48
Posted: 5/7/26 at 2:43pm
I love Kara, but I think Adrienne Warren is a much better fit for this role. Kara's tiny stature (Ayo towers over her) and shortened rehearsal time (and let's face it, lack of direction) gave me the sense that she was pushing a bit too hard in the role.
It should have been the two of them in the leads from the beginning. Kara could have done amazing things with Catherine and Warren seems perfect for Claire. Ayo was way out of her depth.
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