Cheadle & Edebiri Redefine 'Proof' on Broadway

Don Cheadle is making his Broadway debut in a revival of David Auburn's "Proof" at the Booth Theater, starring opposite Ayo Edebiri. Cheadle, previously focused on film and television, found the extensive time commitment daunting but was persuaded by director Thomas Kail and the chance to work with Edebiri.

This new production centers an African American family, offering a different lens on the play's themes of mental health, genius, and intergenerational dynamics. Cheadle, playing a brilliant mathematics professor, noted that the casting brought a new dimension to the father-daughter relationship.

Edebiri, who plays Catherine, found the script deeply resonant, particularly when considering the role with a Black family at its core. Playwright David Auburn made minor script adjustments, such as changing a line about police suspicion from "abusive" to "aggressive," to better reflect the contemporary context.

Director Thomas Kail saw the revival as an opportunity to use the play as a prism, allowing a different light to shine through with actors of color. He noted that having a Black family in the narrative significantly alters the implications of certain plot points, such as selling a family home.

Both Cheadle and Edebiri expressed that working together exceeded their expectations, fostering a comfortable and easy dynamic. The play's themes of isolation and illness also resonated personally with Cheadle, given his family's experiences with mental health and caregiving.