Proof review - Ayo Edebiri struggles but Kara Young soars in Broadway revival

Key Points:

• David Auburn’s Pulitzer-winning play "Proof" is praised for its elegant structure, balancing humor and sadness, and remains a template for smart, accessible theater with commercial appeal.
• The new Broadway revival, directed by Thomas Kail, is the first in the play’s history and tests the durability of Auburn’s writing, which ultimately holds strong despite some flaws.
• Ayo Edebiri’s performance as Catherine is initially convincing but falters during more dramatic moments, while Don Cheadle’s portrayal of Robert is notably flat, resulting in a lack of chemistry between the leads.
• Kara Young, a late replacement, delivers a clear and grounded performance as Claire, providing stability to the production alongside Jin Ha’s effective portrayal of Hal.
• Despite some stylistic and technical missteps, including distracting lighting choices, the production’s main strength lies in Auburn’s writing, which continues to engage audiences with its themes and mysteries.