The Lifespan of a Fact at American Lives Theatre

The Lifespan of a Fact is a play that explores the often messy intersection of truth and storytelling. It centers around John D'Agata, a magazine writer known for his flamboyant and emotionally charged prose, and Jim Fingal, a young, meticulous fact-checker. D'Agata has written a powerful essay about the suicide of a teenage boy in Las Vegas, but Fingal finds discrepancies in D'Agata's creative liberties with the facts.

The play unfolds as a comedic yet thought-provoking battle between the two men. D'Agata prioritizes emotional truth and the power of narrative flow, while Fingal champions factual accuracy and journalistic integrity. Through their arguments and debates, the play delves into the ethics of storytelling, the importance of verification, and the blurred lines between fact and fiction in creative nonfiction. Ultimately, The Lifespan of a Fact leaves the audience pondering the value of both factual accuracy and emotional resonance in storytelling.

Authors

• David Murrell
• Gordon M Farrell
• Jeremy Kareken