The Ringgold Playhouse Presents Proof, Opening May 13

  • Tuesday, May 5, 2015

The Ringgold Playhouse will open a five-performance run of its second show of the 2015 season on Wednesday night, May 13, as it tackles the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama “Proof” written by David Auburn. 

No stranger to challenging productions, the playhouse has won over community audiences since it opened its doors in the summer of 2013 and looks to take another big step forward with “Proof,” according to founder and executive director Adam Cook. 

“It’s a great show,” Mr. Cook said. “With the talented people involved and the brilliance of the play itself, I think this one is really going to move us to another level in the local theatre scene.” 

The Ringgold Playhouse kicked off its season in February with the comedy, “A Bad Year For Tomatoes” and now looks to switch gears to a more serious subject matter. 

“Drama is always a little tougher to pull off in my opinion than comedy,” Mr. Cook said. “We enjoy producing both genres, but with drama it’s a little more challenging to me because you can’t fall back or rely on a laugh or a funny encounter between characters. You have to keep the audience intrigued with the conflict or emotion rather than simply amusing them.” 

Review for "Proof:"

“Proof,” one of the most acclaimed plays in recent memory, explores the unknowability of love as much as it does the mysteries of mathematics, while also examining the lines of madness and genius between a father and daughter. 

“It’s really a great piece of theatre and it’s something that I think the audience will really appreciate when we bring it to the stage,” Mr. Cook said. “We’ve done some great shows here and we’re really proud of the work we produce, but I honestly think ‘Proof’ is going to force everyone involved to up their game to another level. It’s that powerful of a story.” 

On the eve of her 25th birthday, Catherine, a young woman who has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father Robert, must deal not only with his death, but also with the arrival of her estranged sister Claire. She also encounters the intentions of Hal, a former student of her father’s who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks that Robert left behind. 

As Catherine confronts Hal’s affections and Claire’s plans for her (Catherine’s) life, she struggles to solve the most perplexing problem of all: How much of her father’s madness — or genius — will she inherit? 

Mr. Cook says he’s really excited about the cast that has been assembled to tell the story.
Veteran Chattanooga actors, Joanna Lewis and John Hammons, tackle the roles of Catherine and Robert respectively, while Ringgold resident and Texas transplant Laurie Shaw plays Claire, with newcomer Grant Shell, who also resides in Chattanooga, playing the part of Hal. 

“This will probably be the most intimate production we’ve done,” Mr. Cook said. “Past productions have had colorful characters and great stories, but with this one I think we’re going to strip it down a little and create something that’ll stick with people long after they’ve left the theatre. We want it to be similar to a great musical act. … You’ve heard the songs, or in this case the story, but when a music legend like Eric Clapton or someone like that strips down from an electric stadium show to an intimate acoustic performance in a small café or bar, it can be just as powerful, if not more so.” 

Tickets for “Proof” can be purchased online, over the phone at 706.935-3061, or in person at Ringgold city hall between 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.  

Showtimes are May 13-15 at 7:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on May 16.  The Ringgold Depot is at 155 Depot St. in Ringgold.  Tickets are $10 general admission, $8 for seniors and students. For more information call 706,935-3061 or visit www.cityofringgold.comwww.facebook.com/TheRinggoldPlayhouse@RinggPlayhouse

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