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Proof
Proof, David Auburn’s 2001 dual Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning play, tells the story of an enigmatic young woman, her manipulative sister, their brilliant father and an unexpected suitor, all of whom are pieces of the puzzle in the search for truth behind a mysterious mathematical proof. The Atlanta Journal - Constitution said of Proof: "[it] unspools itself with a cinematic urgency that is the hallmark of a well-constructed, impeccably performed work. Anyone who has ever lost parents, experienced sibling rivalry or fallen in love will be moved by this suspenseful drama .." And from the San Francisco Chronicle: "Proof is one elegant piece of work. It charms you with the complex interplay of a father and daughter, hooks you on a mystery about a mathematical proof and leads on to the fathomless riddles of family, love, a parent’s decline and a damaged child’s staggering lurch toward freedom . . ." No wonder regional theaters across the country have put Proof on their season schedules this year.
Proof began previews here at Arena Stage’s Kreeger Theater October 3, and will run through November 23. Footlights is fortunate to have Wendy C. Goldberg, Artistic Associate at Arena and director of this production of Proof, as our guest speaker on Tuesday, October 21 at our monthly dinner-discussion meeting. Longtime Footlights members Heather Booth and Susan Kimmel will moderate the discussion.
We will meet at Luna Books, 1633 P St., NW (third floor) (202-332-2543), three blocks east of Dupont Circle. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m.; the meeting begins at 7:30. But, we are full! To reserve a spot on the waiting list, call Mark Gruenberg, 202-898-4825 or [email protected]. And if you already have reservations for our meeting and find you cannot attend, please call Mark to cancel so that someone else has a chance to join in the discussion.
There are still a few tickets left to join Footlights when we see Proof at Arena on Thursday, October 30 at 8 p.m. but you must act fast! Tickets are $35 and include a post-show discussion. Send your check, payable to Footlights, to Robin Larkin, 5403 Nibud Ct., Rockville, MD 20852. To join Footlights for this performance, your check must arrive no later than Wednesday, October 15. We will distribute tickets at the theater just before the performance. Call or e-mail Robin for information and reservations, 240-669-6300 or [email protected].
Heartbreak House
George Bernard Shaw’s Heartbreak House is the topic for our Wednesday, November 19 dinner-discussion at Casa Fiesta. Round House Theatre’s Nick Olcott, who is directing their production of Heartbreak House will be our guest speaker. Footlighter Jerry Stilkind will lead the discussion. If we were to say that Heartbreak House was one of the ancestors of the "screwball comedies" of the 1920s and ‘30s, GBS might feel we weren’t even worth insulting. Yet, the evidence for uproarious laughter and a delicious wit are right before our eyes when we read the play and, no doubt, will be when we see it.
Heartbreak House is playing at Round House from November 12 - December 14. We’ll see Nick Olcott’s production, with many Washington favorites, especially Emery Battis as Capt. Shotover on Sunday, November 30 at 3 p.m. at the Round House Theatre Bethesda location. Tickets are $30. Send your check, payable to Footlights, to Robin Larkin, 5403 Nibud Ct., Rockville, MD 20852. Call or e-mail Robin for information and reservations, 240-669-6300 or [email protected].
Book Report
Proof is available at our usual bookstores. Olssons (202-785-1133 or 301-652-6399) has it now; Politics & Prose (202-364-1919) and Backstage Books (202-544-5744) should have it in shortly. Call first. Heartbreak House is available at Olssons and Backstage Books, and on order at Politics & Prose.
Looking ahead. . . .
Jumpers by Tom Stoppard will be the topic for our December meeting. Our guest will be Kathleen Akerley, who will direct Jumpers at the Washington Shakespeare Company. We’ll see it in January. Dates of the discussion and performance of Jumpers TBA. In January, starting off the new year, our own Debbie Minter Jackson will lead a discussion panel on the working topic "What Does It Take To Be a Playwright?" Stay tuned.
More Information
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ensure Footlights' future, and become an active Footlights member, by sending
your tax-deductible contribution (any amount) to Robin Larkin, 5403 Nibud Ct,
Rockville, MD 20852
Calendar:
To RSVP for dinner discussions, e-mail [email protected] or call (202) 898-4825.
To join us for a performance, e-mail [email protected] or call 240-669-6300.