THE MOST MATHEMATICAL SHOW EVER

Ariana Manghera as Catherine (left) and Joe Ferrie as Robert (right) in Proof at Sunset Playhouse. Photo credit: Erika Navin.

A review of Proof

by Lorelei Hardt, age 13

Proof at Sunset Playhouse was a show that ran April 10-18, 2026. If you’re obsessed with math and a story about finding yourself, this is a play for you!!!

This is a show about a young girl named Catherine (Ariana Manghera) trying to find her way after her father's passing. Her father Robert (Joe Ferrie) is an incredible mathematician, and through his ending stage of life, he writes many notebooks, some of math and his work, and others full of nonsense as his mind deteriorates. Claire (Lisa Poglitsch) is Catherine’s sister, who is very protective and wants her sister to live a happy life and not waste it away. Hal (Jordan Paullin) is a very kind young man who cares a lot about his math and playing with his band. Hal is also very interested in Robert’s work and is dying to publish it. Throughout the story, there is love, hatred, finding the right choices, and figuring out what to cook for dinner!

Each actor delivered strong performances with their lines and shared many emotions throughout the show. If you’re used to a musical, this is definitely not what you’re going to be getting yourself into, as this show is heavily packed with dialogue. The play is filled with many twists and turns through both acts. There wasn’t much to negatively critique throughout the performance, but one thing that did stand out to me was that this is not a show for a younger audience, as it is packed with profane language and inappropriate talk. I would say, though, that this is a very strong and an interesting show; it is the plot twists and actors that make it so awesome. These elements definitely make a production that many people will be drawn to.

See more shows like this at Sunset Playhouse and their After Sunset Studio Series!