Broadway Revival of 'Proof' Opens with Diverse Cast and Star-Studded Premiere

The Broadway revival of David Auburn's Pulitzer- and Tony-winning play 'Proof' premiered at New York City's Booth Theatre on an unusually hot April day. Starring Don Cheadle, Ayo Edebiri, Jin Ha, and Kara Young, the production follows Catherine grappling with legacy after her mathematician father's death. Cheadle, making his Broadway debut, noted the play explores family, mental health, and truth. Edebiri emphasized approaching the revival with humility, treating it like a new work. Ha highlighted the significance of diverse casting, as the play was originally written for white characters. His costume, designed by Qween Jean, featured a mathematical equation waistcoat and a brooch of the woman-doing-math meme. Young, who joined late with minimal rehearsal, focused on honoring her character Claire. Director Tommy Kail led the production, which received a standing ovation; Edebiri filmed the moment with a vintage camcorder. Celebrity guests included Matt Damon supporting Cheadle, Nicolas Braun for Young, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, Whitney Peak, and Busy Philipps attending. Philipps, a friend of Kail, attended with Kail's wife Michelle Williams. After the show, an after-party at Pier 61's Lighthouse featured music by Lauryn Hill, Roberta Flack, and Whitney Houston, with guests like Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Chris Perfetti, and Sydney Lemmon mingling. The play was adapted into a 2005 film starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, and Jake Gyllenhaal.