Lifespan of a Fact

NPR describes the non-fiction book that inspired the play, The Lifespan of a Fact, as “the most improbably entertaining book ever written.” 

Jim Fingal, a young fact-checker ready to prove himself, squares off against the legendary and unorthodox, John D’gata, author of a sure-to-be-award-winning essay. The deadline looms, pushing an exacting editor of a nationally-known magazine, Emily Penrose, to get personally involved.

The fact-checker, Jim Fingal, and the author, John D’Agata, disagree about whether it is appropriate to change facts in writing that is both nonfiction and art.

The professional atmosphere quickly disintegrates to both the comic and the profane as one question rises to the surface: Can Jim Fingal ever just shut the fact up?

Actors Tyler Smith and Jackson Culp, take on a two-character-challenge. They both perform the parts of fact-checker and author, alternating the parts during the run of the show.

Natalie Weaver plays Emily Penrose, the tough, voice-of-reason editor who is judge and jury over the proceedings. She asks just as the audience will: should this beautiful essay, artistic and inaccurate, be published?