… and I think it’s the best play I’ve ever seen. It grabbed ahold of me right from the start, and carried my emotions. I felt like I knew the characters; I was about to go up to them afterwards to talk to the characters, rather than the actors. Truly a phenomenal experience.
For those who are unfamiliar with the story, it’s by David Auburn. The main character is the daughter of a brilliant mathematician, who has been taking care of him for ten years. She’s inherited much of his insight, but she also worries that she’s inherited the madness which afflicted him. It’s a visceral exploration of the line between genius and insanity.
The next time you have the opportunity to see this play, do so. See it on the opening weekend, so you can tell everyone you know about it. Then see it again.
I agree. We saw it at the Kerr theater in NYC. It’s a powerful piece, and it doesn’t let go of you 'til you leave the theater.
Sorry for the late response…I haven’t been on the board for a few days. I love, love, love, love this play and I believe that might even be an understatement. One of my theatre professors worded it thus: “It’s the only play I’ve ever seen that makes MATH sexy.” (pardon the generalization, but many, many theatre majors in my dept. aren’t very enthusiastic about math…)
It’s just such a beautiful, character-driven piece and the fact that I believe this is the first play David Auburn has written (I’ve heard - I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong) just blows me away.
If you like it you’ll likely like Copenhagen and Arcadia, also excellent science/maths-based plays.
I really enjoyed it as well. The theatre that I volunteer at just performed it…the show closed this weekend…which makes me curious as to where Chronos saw it, and whether I know him/her. 
Very very good play. I saw it, what, about two years ago, near the end of Mary Louise Parker’s run (I believe she won the Best Actress Tony for it). Loved the math aspects, loved the humor, just loved the story. Great acting.
Did I say it was very very good?
Yeah, my high school did the show earlier this year. Turned out really well, at least in my opinion. Leaves me to wonder how well done the Anthony Hopkins movie is going to turn out.
The Equinox Theater, in Bozeman, MT. Don’t tell me there’s another Bozemanite on the board! If that’s it, then I was the guy who almost jumped out of his chair at the last line before intermission :).
And AndrewT, oddly, what I found so striking about the play wasn’t the math, but the characters. It was a plus that the math was good, of course (is David Auburn a mathematician?), but there wasn’t much of it in the play (understandable, since you want more than just nerds in your audience). But I’ll still keep an eye out for the two you mentioned. The thing is, there’s always a play on somewhere or another in this town, but there’s not much variety, so you sort of have to take what’s on the menu.
I’ve read but not seen Arcadia. I think…Tom Stoppard, right? If it’s the play I’m thinking of, then I agree–it is an excellent play. Copenhagen, I haven’t seen or read. I will add it to my ever-growing list. Thanks for the recommend.