I loved The Lifespan Of a Fact, now playing at Studio 54
photo credit: Peter Cunningham
Funny, insightful, provocative, The Lifespan of A Fact features three accomplished actors who clearly love the text and intent of this well written play.
In an era of “fake news” this piece penned by Jeremy Kareken & David Murrell and Gordon Farrell hits the nail on the head. An ambitious, wanting-to-please intern is given the opportunity to comb over an essay (don’t call it an article) and check the information for accuracy.
The editor who has bestowed this plum assignment on the intern is a tough cookie. She is excited by the piece, and wants the results on her desk by Monday morning, under deadline to get it to press.
The young intern, Jim Fingal, masterfully played by Daniel Radcliffe, with an awesome and flawless American accent, takes on this project in a super big way.
He reaches out to the writer, John D’Agata, who, shall we say, has no interest in helping out. This communication escalates, and Emily is brought into the mix. (By the way there really is a John D’Agata and Jim Fingal, and in fact, the play is based on the essay/book written by the two.)
So, some of the facts in the essay are true-ish. Does it really matter if it’s not a cold, solid fact?
In the end, does it even make a difference, in terms of the context of the whole story?
You decide.
Bobby Cannavale is perfectly cast as John, as is Cherry Jones, who plays the editor. Along with the fabulous Daniel Radcliffe, it’s just those three in the cast, and I can only imagine how fun the rehearsals were!
Although it is too early to predict, look for The Lifespan of a Fact to receive a whole lot of nominations, come awards season. But hurry, it’s only around until January 13.
A crisp 85 minutes, with no intermission, this Leigh Silverman directed play is a satisfying ride.
https://www.lifespanofafact.com
Valerie Smaldone is a 5-time Billboard Magazine Award winner and is well known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 on-air position in the New York radio market on 106.7 Life-FM, an iHeart station. She has hosted, produced, and created several award-winning nationally syndicated programs featuring in-depth interviews with stars like Paul McCartney, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Elton John and Mariah Carey among others. Her radio talk show "Bagels and Broadway" highlighted theatre and food personalities. She is an accomplished interviewer and voice artist heard on commercials, narrations, promos and audiobooks, as well as a sought after live announcer.
Most recently, Valerie produced and directed a film, The Thursday Night Club, featuring pop diva Gloria Gaynor in her movie acting debut. She is one of the creators and producers of a docu-series, Divine Renovation, starring Erik Estrada, on streaming networks soon.
