The Lifespan of a Fact at Parker Players Theater

Parker Players Theater Company Presents The Lifespan of a Fact

A sharp, fast-paced theatrical showdown exploring truth, storytelling, and the power behind both

Barrington, IL — Parker Players Theater Company (PPTC) continues its 2026 season with The Lifespan of a Fact, a riveting and darkly funny play by Jeremy Kareken, David Murrell, and Gordon Farrell, based on the book by John D’Agata and Jim Fingal.

This smart, high-energy production dives into a real-life literary clash between a celebrated writer and a relentless fact-checker—raising urgent questions about truth, authorship, and the stories we choose to believe.

A Battle of Facts vs. Story

When essayist John D’Agata submits a piece about Las Vegas and a tragic teenage suicide, fact-checker Jim Fingal is assigned to verify every detail. What begins as routine editing quickly escalates into a gripping intellectual showdown.

D’Agata defends his “adjustments” as artistic expression. Fingal calls them inaccuracies.

The result? A fast-moving, wildly entertaining debate that crackles with wit, tension, and surprising humor—pulling audiences into the center of a question that feels more relevant than ever:

If a story feels true… does it have to be?