A young intern is tasked with fact checking an essay over the weekend by his boss, the editor-in-chief. He sees this as a big opportunity for his career,  and he takes it very seriously. He quickly discovers that many of the facts are incorrect. When he brings this up to the author, he says that he slightly changed the numbers to make them sound better and to make them fit better into his essay. Eventually, the boss has to come and sort out all the discrepancies.

The playwrights (Jeremy Kareken & David Murrell and Gordon Farrell [based on the book by John D’Agata and Jim Fingal]) have written a very fast paced, funny, and invigorating story that has the audience at the edge of their seats. What are the true facts of the story? Will the boss publish half truths?

This story calls to mind the scandal surrounding Hasan Minaj. It was revealed that he bent the truth in his stand-up special. The key to the issue is realizing the context. If he were bending the truth on his news show, The Patriot Act, that would be out of line. But to alter the story for a stand-up routine is perfectly fair. Who expects a comedian to only be telling true stories? Thus, the key to this play is the context of the magazine. Is it a factual news outlet, or is it one that allows some flexibility for dramatic storytelling?

Thomas Neumann is great as the enthusiastic and idealist intern. Jamie Ewing is fantastic as the author with artistic integrity and a skill for truth bending dramatic writing. Lori Rohr is superb as the editor who struggles to find a compromise between the two.

Cost of a ticket: $39

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It

Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Get tickets now for The Lifespan of a Fact through May 4th!

Quinn Delaney