This past summer Jonesville, Michigan’s very own Sauk Theatre performed the show, The Lifespan of a Fact written by Jeremy Kareken, David Murrell, Gordon Farrell and directed by Janet Meyer-Jackman. The Show was based on the real story behind Essayist, John D’Agata’s Essay titled “What Happens There,” Published in 2003.
The Lifespan of a Fact follows the story of Intern Fact Checker. Jim Fingal has been given the task of fact-checking D’Agata’s recent essay on the 2002 Suicides. During Fingal’s search, he finds that a lot of D’Agata’s statements are inaccurate which causes Fingal to panic. D’Agata refuses to change anything about his essay and is offended that Fingal would suggest any change.
“I take liberties with things that deepen the central truth of the piece. Do not get bogged down with the details, keep your eye on the big picture,” said D’Agata.
This causes a feud between Fingal and D’Agata, ultimately ending with Fingal flying out to D’Agata’s house in Las Vegas, Nevada from New York City, New York. The two had argued, almost ending with D’Agata strangling Fingal to death, but was ultimately stopped by Magazine Editor, Emily Penrose. In the end, the three sit down and work on the essay together, and then begin to argue whether or not the essay should even be published, with the play being left on a cliffhanger once the phone rings at the end and curtains close.
The show stars Darren Taylor as John D’agata, Josh Lightner as Jim Fingal, and Jennifer Wagler as Emily Penrose. When interviewed, Lightner brought up the unique elements of the play, expressing that the theme being fact versus truth helps the Audience latch onto the story, and having Fingal be so obsessive over the point of the essay while D’Agata wants it to be more poetic.
“the character most obsessed with getting every detail correct is also the one most flippant about Levi’s suicide. A frequent talking point the audience had after each show was how they would flip between the two opposing perspectives as the show wove between Jim and John’s strengths and flaws in their philosophy,” said Lightner.
Despite taking on the role of Fingal, Lightner found himself siding with D’Agata more. Lightner believes an article should be more emotional than factual, but also believes Fingal is in the right due to D’Agata’s drastic changes.
The unfortunate events that occurred in 2002 were saddening, to say the least, but as time has progressed 22 years later, it is still a matter that is brought into light, and even despite their creative differences D’Agata and Fingal have been best friends to this day.
