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ESCANABA -- Players de Noc in Escanaba is kicking off its 47^th season with the drama, "Proof."

It's a Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award winning play that follows a family after the loss of their mathematical genius father, Robert.

Rachel Johnson plays the lead, Catherine.  And it's a big role for her, considering the fact that this is her first play ever.

“Well, I think I would definitely like to be involved in the future with other shows,” said Johnson.  “Maybe next time, a little smaller role.  It’s been a pretty big commitment, but I’ve enjoyed it.  I think I’ll definitely try out for more."

Catherine gave up her own dreams to care for her once-brilliant mathematician father.  And things get complicated after she announces that she, and not her father, is the author of a notebook filled with mathematical proof.

Her sister, Claire, and her father's former student, Hal, are shocked...but why?

“She has obviously inherited a certain amount of his mathematical ability,” explains “Robert,” played by Jim Soderberg.  “But she also worries that she may have inherited some of his mental traits, like a propensity for mental illness."

Director, Cathy Wilson, says it's taken a lot of work and late-night rehearsals.

“You start way before you even have auditions,” said Wilson.  “You get familiar with the script.  You get your crew in place.  You have to line up everyone who's going to help you build the set."

The cast members said when audiences watch community theater, they support their local arts.

You can still catch it October 13-15 at the Bonifas Art Center Theater.