THURSDAY, May 26, 2011

May 26, 2011 Proof, play. By David Auburn, directed by James Rice, and produced by Huntington Beach Playhouse, the play concerns Catherine, the daughter of a recently deceased mathematical genius and professor at the University of Chicago. Catherine had cared for her father through a lengthy mental illness. Upon her father's death, his ex-graduate student Hal discovers proof about prime numbers in the dad's office. The title refers to that proof and to the play's central question: Can Catherine prove the proof's authorship? Along with demonstrating the proof's authenticity, the daughter also finds herself in a relationship with 28-year-old Hal. Throughout, the play explores Catherine's fear of following in her father's footsteps, both mathematically and mentally and her desperate attempts to stay in control. Location: 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach, CA. Box office: (714) 375-0696. hbph.com

Tom Kubis Big Band - One of the top jazz artists in the nation is a renown composer. See his big band live! Time 8 -11 p.m. Location: Don the Beachcomber, Don the Beachcomber’s Restaurant, 16278 South Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92649. Call: (562-592-1321). donthebeachcomber.com

Jam Night - at Perqs Nite Club, downtown Huntington Beach.

Robby Armstrong - at Harpoon Harry's, Sunset Beach. No Cover. Time: 7 to 11 p.m. Location: Harpoon Harry's Restaurant, 16821 Pacific Coast Hwy., Sunset Beach, CA 90742. Phone 562-592-5216.

TJR Trio - at J.King Neptunes at 8 p.m.

Barry Rillera Band - at Tumbleweed's Bar & Grill. Location: 21094 S. Beach Boulevard, Huntington Beach, CA, Call: (714) 960-2776.

Shipley Nature Center - Open to the public, it includes an interpretive center with educational exhibits, nature trails for wildlife viewing and native gardens. Shipley Nature Center is an 18-acre natural area open daily M-Sat 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Phone: 714-842-4772. shipleynature.org