Baylor Theatre To Present Two Summer Shows

by Julie Campbell Carlson

Baylor Theatre will present two contemporary plays -- a drama and a comedy -- this summer as part of Baylor University's master of fine arts graduate directing program. "Proof" will run at 8 p.m. June 18-19 with a 2 p.m. matinee performance on June 20, while "Art" will run at 8 p.m. June 25-26 and 2 p.m. June 27.

In "Proof," the death of a brilliant mathematician leads to a weekend of mystery, family confrontation and romantic possibilities. The play won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play, and the movie, starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Anthony Hopkins, will be released in December.

The Baylor production is directed by graduate student Daniel Inouye, who is a graduate of Wheaton College and has worked in theater for more than a decade. Originally from Chicago, he worked as director for Spindrift Theatre and as the artistic director for The Youth Association of the Creative Arts.

The second play, "Art," focuses on the purchase of an expensive painting, all in shades of white, and how the painting triggers a firestorm of outrageous debate between three close friends. "Art" won the 1998 Tony Award for Best Play and the 1996 Olivier Award for Best Comedy.

Meredith Sutton will direct the Baylor production. She received a bachelor's degree in dance from West Texas A&M University and has worked with dance companies in New York, New Jersey and Texas. She serves a lecturer in dance and choreography in Baylor's theater department.

Admission to the plays is $10 with a $2 discount with a Baylor ID. Tickets can be purchased at the theater box office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or by calling 710-1865.