Proof. by David Auburn, is one of my favorite new plays, one that I think
deservedly won the Tony and the Pulitzer.  A script that manages to be about
math and family relationships and mental illness and falling in love and issues of
trust...and is often funny at the same time (with a few moments of genuine
surprise) is a winner in my book.

I first saw a fine all-Asian production at East West Players with the excellent
Kimiko Gelman as Catherine.  More recently I saw Gwynneth Palrow in the
same role in the film version and heard Anne Heche (who played it on
Broadway) in the sound recording (both excellent, both with very different
takes on the role.)

When I heard that the amazing Mandy Freund (The Glass Menagerie) was
playing Catherine in the current production at the La Mirada Theater for the
Performing Arts, I knew that it was a show I didn't want to miss.  Mandy (who
was outstanding in the original L.A. production of Doubt and the recent
revival of The Glass Menagerie) has proven herself once again to be one of our
finest young actresses.  Catherine has to be quirky and brilliant and attractive
and vulnerable and funny, and Mandy brings all these qualities to the role.

The whole cast is worthy of kudos. Chris Conner is just right as Hal, "dweeby"
enough to be believable as the proverbial Math Geek, at the same time sexy
enough to be Catherine's leading man.  I really l liked Stacy Barnhisel as Claire,
Catherine's controlling older sister.  In her high heels and capri pants, she is the
perfect foil for her grungy sister.  And James Harper is suitably manic as
Catherine's math genius gone bonkers dad.

Set and lighting design are top-notch, but special praise must be given to
Judy Jou's costumes, which are perfectly in character for all four roles.  It would
have been easy just to buy things off the rack, but these are original designs
which fit the characters to a T.

Director Brian Kite deserves the highest praise for his sensitive and multi-shaded
staging of this intelligent and thought provoking play, one which raise the bar
for future non-musical productions at the La Mirada Theatre.
OCTOBER 2006, LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, LA MIRADA.

--Steven Stanley