Proof
Proof
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#1re: Proof
Posted: 8/14/04 at 2:54am
I know of several professional theatres who have done it; I'm pretty sure the rights are out for all theatres to perform it and it is a GREAT piece to do. It's hard because it seems really simplistic. It's one of those shows that can be boring if done incorrectly...
So be careful with it and pay attention to the details of it. Lots of specificity needed to make the relationships real and solid. But a GREAT piece.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#3re: Proof
Posted: 8/14/04 at 2:58am
Awesome...Thanks, guys. I've read the piece about four times now, and everytime I'm like "woah....dad's dead". Totally freaks me out.
But everytime I finish...I'm also like "hmm...only my math teacher would enjoy this." But living in small town, TX...there aren't many good actors, so we can't do real big shows.
That's why I like Proof....four people...woo hoo.
But I went by sam french and bakers, they didn't have it. Who has the rights?
Updated On: 8/14/04 at 02:58 AM
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
zbigner
Stand-by Joined: 12/10/03
#6re: Proof
Posted: 8/14/04 at 8:35amI saw the Alley Theatre's production last year, and it was outstanding. I can see how the show could go south quickly without high quality actors. I happen to be a math teacher, so I did get into the math stuff. I think it is highly accessible to even the worst math-phobic though. The mental health issues and family dynamics are pretty universal.
MusicalDirector109
Leading Actor Joined: 5/16/03
popcultureboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/23/03
#11re: Proof
Posted: 8/14/04 at 9:02am
It's Gyllenhaal and Matt_G will kick your ass for not knowing 
.
And Gwyneth Paltrow was pretty incredible in the London production of Proof. While the film role should have undoubtedly gone to Mary Louise Parker, whose Catherine is unsurpassable, Gwyneth is an acceptable replacement.
MusicalDirector109
Leading Actor Joined: 5/16/03
jo
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#13re: Proof
Posted: 8/14/04 at 10:29am
I saw the London production at the Donmar Warehouse with Gwyneth Paltrow and it was certainly an amazing piece of theatre. If you are familiar with the Donmar, the stage is set in the middle like a sunken floor and four rows each on the side and four rows in front ( plus a second tier upstairs) gives it a very intimate setting. It was almost like we were eavesdropping on the conversations.
broadwayguy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
popcultureboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/23/03
#17re: Proof
Posted: 8/14/04 at 12:45pmAnd oddly enough, he's the one I am troubled by. He has become a parody of himself in recent years. Thinking about it, The Silence Of The Lambs was probably his last good performance and it ruined him.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
popcultureboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/23/03
#20re: Proof
Posted: 8/14/04 at 1:38pmThe Donmar has got you beat. The front row of seats is about 6 inches from the stage. Often, people with no class will put their feet up on the stage before the start of the show, sometimes even during the show.
#21re: Proof
Posted: 8/14/04 at 1:39pm
Intimate staging is the best kind. To be an audience member and feel so drawn into the world that is before you...There's nothing better as an audience memeber. Nor is there anything better as an actor to know that you have that audience in your hands.
During "MASTER HAROLD"...AND THE BOYS (a phenominal piece of drama by Athol Fugard, if you've never read it--do!), we were in our black box, arena stage and you can see every audience member out there; and we had them all, so tight, and we weren't letting go. It was so excellent.
And during THE LARAMIE PROJECT, we were in our bigger theatre and to know you have an audience of 350 hanging on your every word? It's such a rush. I love it!
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#22re: Proof
Posted: 8/14/04 at 1:58pm
popcultureboy - I understand your thoughts about Mr. Hopkins. Many actors have taken material simply to get a paycheck - Gene Hackman comes to mind - amongst pretty much everyone else. But as the following movies all came out after SILENCE, I'm not sure I'd write him off as a complete hack just yet:
Howard's End
Chaplin
Remains of the Day
Shadowlands
Nixon
Amistad
Titus
Red Dragon
popcultureboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/23/03
#23re: Proof
Posted: 8/14/04 at 2:02pmHoward's End, I will give you. Chaplin and Nixon, I haven't seen. In Shadowlands and Amistad, I thought he was underwhelming. In Titus and Red Dragon, I thought he was absolutely fcuking shocking. Shocking. And Surviving Picasso came after Silence Of The Lambs. More to the point, Freejack, for the love of God, came after Silence Of The Lambs.
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