The Proof at the center of David Auburn's prize-winning play is a mathematical one, but the problems at the center of it are the human ones of love and loss. Directed by Samantha K. Wyer (ATC's Wit), Proof plays Jan. 19-Feb. 9 at Tucson's Temple of Music and Art, then the Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix Feb. 14-March 3.

Traber Burns stars as Robert, the mentally-strained math genius whose troubles impact his sensitive daughter, Catherine, played by Angela Pierce. The Auburn play is at turns a comedy, a mystery, a family drama and a romance, and audiences have cheered the Broadway production for its craft and intelligence. Auburn won both the 2001 Tony for Best Play and the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Proof.

The four-actor cast also includes Marc A. Gray as Hal, a math student of Robert's at the University of Chicago and a would-be suitor to Catherine, and Courtney Peterson as Catherine's brittle New York sister, Claire.

The Proof design team features Scott Weldin (sets), Sam Fleming (costumes), Tracy Odishaw (lighting) and Brian Jerome Peterson (sound). Elizabeth Lohr is the stage manager.

Tickets are $24-$36. For reservations call (520) 622-2823. Arizona Theatre Company is on the web at ttp://www.arizonatheatre.org.