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Hull Performing Arts to stage Pulitzer Prize-winning drama ‘Proof’ at Weir River Center

Hull Performing Arts, Inc. is pleased to announce upcoming performances of the 2001 Pulitzer Prize winner in drama, “Proof,” at the Weir River Estuary Center later this month.

The production, directed by Hull’s Lindsay Clinton, tells the story of Catherine, who sacrificed her college years to care for her mentally ill father, Robert. He was a brilliant mathematician, but his disability left him unable to work.  Following his death, she must confront her own fears about her future.  Has she inherited her father’s brilliance, or his mental illness? With the same question in mind, Catherine’s sister, Claire, comes from New York City for the funeral and to help settle family business. She wants to bring Catherine back to NYC to give her a new start and provide any help she might need. Their father’s protégé, Hal, takes on the task of exploring his mentor’s 103 notebooks with the hope of finding something worth publishing.

“Proof” is about familial relationships, mental illness including depression, brilliance, the competitive world of academia, and the struggle of children to navigate the complications of a dependent parent.

Alyse Clinton of Quincy, formerly of Hull, plays the role of Catherine, who has spent most of the last four years caring for her father. Clinton is a graduate of Northeastern University with degrees in theatre and ASL/English Interpretation. Recent theatre credits include “The Exception and the Rule” (Guide), “Godspell” (Joanne/Robin), “How I Learned to Drive” (Female Greek Chorus), “The Winter’s Tale” (Florizel), “The Wolves” (#11), “As U Like It” (Jacques), “Play On!” (Aggie), “Hair “(Black Boys Trio), “Jonathan” (Tom/Ensemble), “The Eight” (Dancer), and “SWAN” (Aiden).

Mark Logue of West Roxbury is Robert, Catherine’s brilliant but mentally ill father. He most recently appeared in Curtain Call Theatre’s productions of “ART” (Serge), “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” (Man in Socks), and “Dancing at Lughnasa” (Father Jack).

Ashleigh Pelto of Quincy is Catherine’s sister Claire. She first performed a scene from “Proof” in her high school’s acting and stagecraft class and has loved the play ever since.

Andrew Burke of Norwell plays Hal, Robert’s protégé. He is an alum of the Atlantic Acting Studio. Recent credits include “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” (Lucas), “Rhinoceros” (Jean), “Twelfth Night” (Sebastian), “Agamemnon” (Aegisthus), “Amadeus” (Mozart), and “Bridget v. Law & Order” (The Director).

Lindsay Clinton of Hull has directed many HPA productions including “Tomfoolery,” “On This River,” “Toilers of the Sea” (about the life of Joshua James), “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” and “Play On!” She is a graduate of the internship program at New Jersey Shakespeare. Directing “Proof” has been a longtime dream of hers, but she was never able to find the right cast. After many readings over several years, she found her dream cast. This is an amazing group of actors, and she is so proud of how this production is coming together.

The stage managers for this production are Julie Collinge of Hingham and Jenn Burke of Norwell, with set design by Siobhan McGurk of Hull.

Performances are Sept. 22, 23, 29, and 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. at the Weir River Estuary Center, 333 George Washington Blvd. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $18 for seniors, students, and veterans. Tickets can be purchased online at: www.hullperformingarts.org.