VIRTUAL: THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT

Filmed In-Person on stage at The Spot with a fully vaccinated company *approved by AEA

by Jeremy Kareken & David Murrell and Gordon Farrell

based on the book by John D'Agata and Jim Fingal

"The debate at the heart of this play transcends comedy and demands serious attention.” – Variety

STREAMING MAY 27- JUNE 6 [CLOSED JUNE 6]

SUITABILITY: The Lifespan of a Fact is suitable for adults and recommended for audiences 14+ due to language, mature themes and discussion of suicide. 

The Lifespan of a Fact is the true-ish story of the critically acclaimed author, John D’Agata, and a young fact-checker, Jim Fingal, navigating the nature of truth.

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How negotiable is a “fact?”

When John’s essay about the suicide of Las Vegas teenager Levi Presley is selected by an illustrious magazine editor, Emily Penrose, to be featured in a fast-approaching publication, Jim Fingal is assigned his first major job: the straight forward task of fact-checking the essay. Jim–with sincerity, a dogged loyalty to accuracy, and a tight deadline–digs into the essay and begins to discover it is rife with inconsistencies, fabrications and misleading claims. John maintains the liberties taken are necessary–that the piece is an essay, not an article, where the bounds of truth shift in service of telling the story. Emily becomes arbiter of the literal and figurative battle that comedically ensues as John and Jim go head to head over what constitutes “fact” and how to most truthfully honor the life of Levi Presleyas the Monday morning deadline looms.

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The play is loosely based on true events. John and Jim actually spent *seven years* debating, revising, and editing the essay in service of artistic and objective truth.

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Read “What Happens There” from The Believer, eventually published January 1st, 2010

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Read the book that details the seven years of John and Jim’s intellectual and ethical argument: “Royalties from the book–for the life of its publication–are donated to a scholarship established in Levi’s name at Pino and Bantam ATA Black Belt Academy in Las Vegas, a Tae Kwon Do studio run by Levi’s best friend and his best friend’s mom. The scholarship will give underprivileged kids in Las Vegas the chance to discover the sport that Levi loved.” 

“The Lifespan of a Fact might be the most improbably entertaining book ever published.” – NPR

“ASIDE FROM HEART ATTACKS, STROKES, AND THREE TYPES OF CANCER, THE THING MOST LIKELY TO KILL YOU IN LAS VEGAS IS YOURSELF.”

                                                                                                                                                                                                 – The Believer, "What Happens There"

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In memory of Levi Presley IV (1985-2002) and all those lost to suicide we invite you to donate to an organization below.

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These organizations are creating awareness around mental health, promoting suicide prevention, providing mental health services to better our society and breaking down the illusion of separateness.

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LOCAL

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•Attend the NAMI Wood River Valley Fundraiser this Saturday May 22nd, 2021 for Mental Health Awareness Month!

•FLOURISH FOUNDATION–inspiring systemic change through heartmind cultivation, promoting personal well-being, benevolent social action, and environmental stewardship.

•THE ADVOCATES– offers confidential and free services. Saving lives and changing futures in the WRV. 

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NATIONAL

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•NAMI– National Alliance on Mental Illness

•THE LOVELAND FOUNDATION– Provides financial assistance to Black Women and girls seeking therapy nationally.

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• THE TREVOR PROJECT–Making sure that LGBTQ youth who need support nationwide know they are not alone.

•THERAPY FOR BLACK GIRLS – Growing an engaged community centered on the mental health needs of Black women and girls

•AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION – Saves lives and brings hope to those affected by suicide.

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“Suicide is the most threatening thing that we can encounter as a culture. It’s a manifestation of doubt, the ultimate unknowable. A suicide by someone we know–or even by someone we don’t know–is an ugly reminder that none of us has the answers.”                                                                                  – "What Happens There", John D’Agata