Centenary College’s Marjorie Lyons Playhouse will close out its 2014 offerings with “Proof,” opening Nov. 13.

It’s the story of the daughter of a math professor, recently deceased, a victim of his own mental illness. Catherine, his daughter, has inherited his mathematical ability and fears her father’s mental deterioration might be in her future as well.

Written by David Auburn, “Proof” premiered at the Manhattan Theatre Club in May 2000. 

Later that year, it moved to the Walter Kerr Theatre on Broadway and eventually ran through 2003, logging more than 900 performances. The original actors were Mary-Louise Parker, as Catherine; Larry Bryggmann, as Robert; Ben Shenkman as Hal; and Johanna Day, as Claire. Jennifer Jason Leigh and Ann Heche also did turns as Claire on Broadway, and Josh Hamilton and Neil Patrick Harris also were seen as Hal. The Broadway version was adapted for the screen in 2005 and starred Anthony Hopkins, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jake Gyllenhaal.

The MLP production will be the maiden outing at Centenary for alumnus Logan Sledge. Sledge and his wife have been back in town about six years, and he recently took a two-year appointment at MLP. Although the play was selected before he took the job, Sledge said he’s happy he’s getting to direct it.

“I couldn’t have picked a better play. This play is a scary play, but it’s also an incredibly exciting play,” he said.

The cast consists of senior Michael Nguyen as Hal, Abigail Dillard as Claire, and freshman Taylor Ackerman as Catherine. Local veteran actor, Richard Folmer is playing the role of Robert, the math genius and father. Each actor brings something special to the production, Sledge said, but having a veteran like Folmer is an added advantage.

“It’s been great having Richard on board. The kids really are observing, listening and soaking [his experience] up. That’s a training I couldn’t give them. It would take me all four years to communicate some of the stuff we will talk about in a three-minute conversation,” Sledge said.

Sledge said “Proof” offers audiences an emotional feast, from sorrow to laughter. “It takes people on an emotional roller coaster. We latch onto Catherine being at the center of that vortex. She is in the midst of all the competing agendas of the other characters as well as the ‘ghost’ of her father,” he said. “The play offers the spectrum of human emotion. The audience is going to be emotional, even heartbroken, at certain points watching Catherine fight. Watch her talk about her father.”

He said the play opens on the eve of Catherine’s 25th birthday, which is right around the same time that her father began his slip into mental illness. It’s a fate of which she is genuinely frightened. 

An aspect of the play that especially appeals to Sledge is the portrayal of that mental illness. He said he feels people, in general, have a limited understanding of what mental illness is and what it does. He cites as an example, Robin Williams’ recent suicide. “It’s polarizing when you listen to the talking heads discuss that issue. Some feel bad. Some say how could he do this. No one seems to understand he’s mentally ill. No one wants to see the elephant in the room.”

The character of the father, Robert, is based on the real life of John Nash, Sledge said. Nash is the character behind the book and film “A Beautiful Mind.” If for no other reason, Sledge said some audience members might find the math of interest.

After the performance Nov. 14, there will be a talkback session, Sledge said. Participating in the session will be the director, Dr. Katherine Brandl, associate professor of mathematics at Centenary; Tina Feldt, director of counseling services; and Dr. Keith Kessel, a geriatric psychiatrist. Audience members will get the opportunity to ask questions of the director, the actor and the experts about the play and discuss it in an open forum.

The run of performances will be at 8 p.m. Nov. 13-15 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 16. This show is being produced in the round, and only 92 seats will be available for each performance. The back porch set will rest on the MLP main stage with seating surrounding the backyard.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors, the military, and alumni. They can be purchased online at www.centenary.edu/playhouse/tickets. 

For more information and reservations, call 869-5242.