VPA pulls play from lineup

Unedited version of controversial drama slated for summer run

November 15, 2005

CASEY RESSLER/Valley Life editor

The curtain will go up on an unedited version of a controversial play at Valley Performing Arts this season, although not exactly when it was first planned.

The VPA board of directors voted 8-1 late last week to offer &#8220Proof” in its original form, but pulled it from its scheduled slot in the season lineup - March 24 through April 9 - and moved it to June, following the regular season. Controversy erupted last month after the board realized that &#8220Proof,” a Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning play by David Auburn, contained numerous obscenities.

&#8220We think that it's a win-win situation, because it will go on as it was written - it won a Pulitzer - but people will have the opportunity to see something else in its place if they are offended,” said VPA marketing director Marty Metiva. &#8220We've tried to keep everyone happy, and this is the best way of doing that.”

The production will be replaced in the regular lineup by &#8220The Foreigner,” which was part of the original roster of plays submitted to the board of directors for the 2005-06 season by then-artistic director Grant Olson, who resigned his position last month as the controversy unfolded.

Dean Phipps, who has been with VPA off and on for all 30 seasons, was originally scheduled to direct &#8220Proof.” After the controversy became public, he said he would only direct it if the play were presented as it is written. Late Monday afternoon, after being told of the board's decision, Phipps said he'd take a few days to think over his options.

Phipps was hospitalized late last week and didn't get a chance to talk to board president Janet Kennedy in reference to the change. Kennedy had left Phipps several messages and on Monday afternoon, Phipps was trying to get back in touch with her.

&#8220I am disappointed they are removing it from the lineup. I want to think everything through. It's a personal choice that I will have to make,” Phipps said. &#8220I'm not sure what I'm going to do, because it's on a totally different schedule. It's something I definitely want to sleep on.”

Metiva said Phipps remains VPA's top choice to direct the play.

Last month, after learning about the questionable language used in parts of the play, the VPA board sent a letter to Dramatists Play Service, a play licensing company, to see if the script could be altered. As of Monday, VPA had not received an answer, Metiva said.

&#8220Proof” is about a brilliant mathematician daughter who hopes to inherit her father's brilliance but is afraid she might also inheritance his mental illness. It has received rave reviews both on stage and on the screen - Gwyneth Paltrow starred in a feature-length movie based on the play after starring in the play's run in London.

Metiva said VPA is in the process of putting out its latest newsletter, which will spell out options to ticket holders. Those who have season tickets may see &#8220The Foreigner” in its place, and those holding single tickets to &#8220Proof” will also be able to trade them for &#8220The Foreigner.” Tickets for the June 2-11 production of &#8220Proof” will be on sale at the VPA box office.

&#8220This is a barometer for us to see if there is a market for these kinds of plays, and see how the audience reacts,” Metiva said of presenting &#8220Proof.” &#8220Also, it will give us a chance to see if we can squeeze another production into our regular season in the future. If it works, maybe three, four years down the line you'll see VPA with a 12-month schedule.”

VPA veteran Bonnie Honkola has been tapped to direct &#8220The Foreigner,” written by Larry Shue. It has been a community theater staple around the country. It details the travels of Charlie, who is on vacation and pretends he doesn't understand English in order to get some peace. He sees schemes by people who think he's a foreigner, leading to mistaken identities, evil villains and laughs.