‘The Lifespan of a Fact’: Truth, accuracy & egos

‘THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT’: Bobby Cannavale & Cherry Jones. Photo: Peter Cunningham

THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT
Written by Jeremy Kareken, David Murrell & Gordon Farrell
Based on the essay/book by John D’Agata & Jim Fingal
Directed by Leigh Silverman
Through January 13, 2019
Studio 54
254 West 54th Street
(212-239-6200), www.lifespanofafact.com

By David NouNou

It’s been a long dry spell in the theater since we’ve had such a direct bullseye of a play with a compelling storyline, wonderful acting, razor-sharp direction; one just can’t help but have a hell of a good time. Although the title may suggest the plot, The Lifespan of a Fact has unexpected twists that you wouldn’t expect, and it ends up being an intelligent, thought-provoking comedy and great entertainment.

Based on a 2012 essay/book written by John D’Agata and Jim Fingal, about an essayist, not a journalist, Jim (Bobby Cannavale) having his essay (not article) published by the editor of a reputable magazine, Emily (Cherry Jones). Emily hires a fact-checker, Jim (Daniel Radcliffe,) to make sure that all the details of John’s essay are indeed factual. What you need to know is that John is brash and doesn’t care for the details as long as the essay reads well from a literary perspective, Emily is a no-nonsense editor, and Jim, well you’ll have to see the show to know about Jim.

The essay is about a 16-year-old boy committing suicide by jumping off the highest point of a hotel in Las Vegas and the things that took place on that particular day. And so, starts the play with Jim fact checking the first inaccuracy of whether 31 or 34 houses of ill repute shut down on that day due to the tragedy. That is in paragraph one. Let’s just say we don’t even get to paragraph two.

Although there is no mention of any of the current lies that are coming from the White House on a daily basis, the importance of fact-checkers has never been more relevant than they are today. We once lived in innocent times when fact-checkers were being eliminated by magazines and newspapers due to budget constraints; now they are working around the clock to keep up and catch all the lies and misrepresentations and herein lies Jim’s expertise.

As I mentioned earlier, the cast is impeccable. Starting with Daniel Radcliffe who has never been better and is able to display his sharp delivery and exude a presence lacking in his previous outings on Broadway. He was mainly known as the child actor who played in all the Harry Potter movies. He is no longer a child or Harry Potter; he is simply an actor doing his best job to date and if this play had opened in April of 2019, he would have been a sure contender for the Tony. As it is still only October, April is a long way off and some performances can be forgotten, but this one is indelible.

Bobby Cannavale gives passion to John and his belief in his essay, that although it may have holes in it, he believes that’s the way it happened, and he exudes strength in his justification. Cherry Jones, who always plays the centerpiece in every show, has a secondary role but of equal importance because she has to make the decision of what is right and what would be libelous. There is a lot of strength in her performance, dividing her energy between her essayist and her fact-checker.

Leigh Silverman has directed her cast with precision and expertise; not a line is thrown away and every gesture speaks volumes. The play is in constant motion and never lags for an instant. My one regret is the play is only running till January 13, 2019. What a shame it’s not like the olden days when a straight play had a life of its own and could run as long as it needed instead of a limited engagement.

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published October 23, 2018
Reviewed at October 22, 2018 press performance.

‘THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT’: Bobby Cannavale. Photo: Peter Cunningham

‘THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT’: Cherry Jones. Photo: Peter Cunningham

‘THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT’: Daniel Radcliffe. Photo: Peter Cunningham