The Lourdes University Drama Society has something to prove and its numbers are starting to add up. The group is set to open David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Proof” in the Franciscan Center at 7 p.m. Sept. 28.

The production features Tim Robinson, Kelly Fandrey, Megan Mockensturm and Nate Kuehnl. Keith Ramsdell will direct. Ramsdell, who is the university’s director of graduate admissions, also serves as the group’s adviser.

“We chose to do this play for a number of reasons, the first being that the piece is just so compelling and well-written. Secondly, it’s not overwhelming to produce and cast, and, most important of all, it really allows us to highlight the talents of some of our best actors,” Ramsdell said. “Directing this play really stretched my abilities. You can’t do this piece justice by merely looking at what lives on the surface, you have to be willing to go much deeper; you have to look at what makes these characters great. It’s about trust.”

“Proof” was originally produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club on May 23, 2000. It transferred to Broadway’s Walter Kerr Theatre on Oct. 24, 2000. The first Broadway production starred Mary-Louise Parker, who won a Tony Award for her performance. In 2005, there was a film adaptation by Rebecca Miller featuring Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, Hope Davis and Jake Gyllenhaal.

“This humorous and compassionate story is the perfect kickoff for what promises to be an amazing season of theater on our campus,” Ramsdell said. “There are a lot of plays that are done in the Toledo area, but it’s not every day that audiences get to experience Pulitzer Prize-worthy material. I think people will connect with this play in a very unique way.”

“Proof” marks the drama society’s first full production in the Franciscan Center.  Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for seniors. There will be additional performances at 7 p.m. Sept. 29 and 2 p.m. Sept. 30. Advanced purchase is suggested as seating for all of the performances is limited. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Franciscan Center box office at (419) 824-3999. There will be a reception following the opening performance to introduce the donor of Lourdes’ newly endowed $10,000 theater scholarship. Lourdes is located at 6832 Convent Blvd., in Sylvania.

For more information, call (419) 885-3211 or visit www.lourdes.edu.

Tags: Keith Ramsdell, Kelly Fandrey, Lourdes University, Megan Mockensturm, Nate Kuehnl, Proof, Tim Robinson

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 25th, 2012 at 5:33 pm and is filed under Arts and Life, Theater.
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