The proof is in the producing

“Proof,” David Auburn’s Tony- and Pulitzer-winning drama about a mentally ill math genius and his daughter, ranks as by far the nation’s most-produced play of the 2002-03 season, according to American Theatre magazine’s annual survey of more than 400 nonprofit stages. With 29 productions scheduled -- including one at South Coast Repertory Jan. 3-Feb. 9, 2003 -- “Proof” just about doubles the nearest contenders. (“Proof” was also seen in June at the Wilshire Theater.)

“Dirty Blonde,” Claudia Shear’s look at Mae West, has 15 and “Copenhagen,” Michael Frayn’s speculative historical work about a mysterious episode in Nazi Germany’s quest for the atom bomb that was seen at the Wilshire and the Laguna Playhouse, has 14. “Fully Committed,” Becky Mode’s one-actor show about a harried restaurant reservationist, has 12 productions (and was seen at the Coronet and the Laguna Playhouse); David Sedaris’ “The Santaland Diaries” has 10 and “The Laramie Project,” nine. All six titles also made last year’s list of the 10 most-produced plays.

Sixteen other shows, which have also been seen at various venues in the area, occupy the last four spots on the list led by “Bat Boy: the Musical,” “The Drawer Boy” and “Lobby Hero” with eight productions each and “My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra” and August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” with seven.

The list does not include works by Shakespeare or productions of “A Christmas Carol.”

-- Mike Boehm