Amy Crossman* as Claire and Dayna Palya* as Catherine in Proof by David Auburn, Chenango River Theatre, September 18th to October 4th, 2026. (Chenango River Theatre photo by Bill Lelbach)

GREENE — Poignant and surprisingly funny, Proof is a Pulitzer Prize and multiple Tony Award winning family drama by David Auburn that explores the relationship between brilliance and madness.

The play was inspired by the true story of the legendary Nobel Prize Winner John Nash. Nash’s life story was widely seen in the film A Beautiful Mind, winner of four Academy Awards (including Best Actor for Russell Crowe and Best Director for Ron Howard).

Chenango River Theatre’s production of Proof runs September 18th through October 4th. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.chenangorivertheatre.org, or by email at tickets@chenangorivertheatre.org. Reservations can be made 24 hours a day by voicemail at 607-656-8499. Individual tickets are $33 for adults, $12 for college students, and $6 for children 18 and under. All performances start on time. Recommended for mature audiences.

An elegant and engaging story of passion, genius, and family bonds, Proof centers on Catherine, a young woman who has spent years caring for her father, a once-in-a-generation great mathematician now stricken with mental illness. On the eve of her father Robert’s funeral, Catherine struggles with issues of responsibility, trust, and the possible inheritance of both her father’s brilliance and madness while dealing with her sister Claire’s well-intentioned intrusions, plus her own budding relationship with Hal, one of her father’s former doctoral students.

Directed by Bill Lelbach, CRT’s founding Artistic & Managing Director, the key role of Catherine is played by Dayna Palya*, returning to CRT for the third time in the last 12 months after previously appearing in Dear Jack, Dear Louise (2025) and The Last 5 Years (2026). Sky Vogel, in his first appearance at CRT, portrays Catherine’s brilliant father Robert. Amy Crossman* returns to CRT for her fourth main stage show over the last decade, playing Claire, Catherine’s older sister. Amy was also seen two years ago at CRT in her original solo show The Great Divide. Ryan Canavan, playing Harold Dobbs - a former student of Robert’s (and Catherine’s budding love interest) - was last seen at CRT in the audience favorite Dear Jack, Dear Louise, starring opposite Dayna Palya in that production.

Proof is the final Main Stage production of Chenango River Theatre’s 20th Season. In addition, there will be a One Night Stand performance of Why Not Me, Too? on Tuesday, September 22nd featuring Payton Reilly and CRT Favorite Chris “Red” Blisset. For more information about either show and individual ticket sales, please visit our website at chenangorivertheatre.org.

Chenango River Theatre is just 15 minutes north of Binghamton at 991 State Highway 12 in Greene, NY. The Chenango River Theatre is the greater Binghamton area's only Equity, professional non-profit theatre company.

Chenango River Theatre’s 2026 Season is made possible in part by: The New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; a grant from the Shubert Foundation in the category of Theatre; a grant from the Community Fund of the Community Foundation for South Central New York.

The 2026 Season is produced in partnership with Empire Toyota. All productions will be presented on the Gault BMW Stage. Executive Producer of the 2026 Season is Pete & Karen Raymond. Season Producers of the 2026 Season are Kevin & Jonalyn Cooper and Fred & Sandra Weitsman.Proof is Co-Produced by Davidson Fox.

This production is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Dramatist Play Service (www.concordtheatricals.com).

*Appearing through an Agreement between Chenango River Theatre and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors & Stage Managers in the United States.


— Information from Chenango River Theatre