Opened, May 23, 2000. Reviewed May 18. Robert lost his genius long before madness led to his death. The mercurial nature of the mathematician's art is refracted everywhere, usually in ways that offer a humorous counterpoint to somber loss. When the numbers-obsessed Robert forgets a date that happens to be his daughter's birthday, Auburn follows it with their loopy, delightful plans for a cheap night out on the town.
Salvation typically arrives amid despair.
Hal, who has lusted for Catherine from afar, unexpectedly kisses her with the same breath as his apology, prompting a tender reminiscence of lost opportunities and a very rapid ascent to the bedroom to make sure they don't lose any more. Auburn's flair for the theatrical is a continual source of satisfaction. Just think what this playwright would do with truly lurid material. In Act Two, Auburn achieves the opposite effect, turning the theater space into a near-vacuum when Robert produces a notebook, eager to show Catherine his new work. Math has now been reduced to mere reflex and Catherine, as well as the audience, waits in silent fear for the contents of that notebook to be revealed.