“Fact”-Finding Mission
By Wes Hessel with Cate Rees-Hessel
The latest play at Oil Lamp Theater in downtown Glenview poses the provocative question, what should be “The Lifespan of a Fact”? Where does one draw the line between artistic license and accuracy? Should journalistic integrity, emotional observation, or potential liability be the deciding factor? This engrossing drama, peppered with elements of sharp humor, keeps you debating internally (and maybe externally after) these and other burning questions.
When the senior editor of a legendary magazine now in its waning years assigns a Harvard-educated intern, with experience at the vaunted “Crimson” student newspaper, to fact check the “article” written by a well-known essayist, a struggle between accuracy and art ensues. Marianne Embree’s editor is a tough, no-nonsense type who still has some level of humanity – she sees the essay as one of the greatest pieces of all time, and therefore the potential saving grace for the failing periodical, but she still points out what is arguably the most important fact altered for effect on its failure in two directions. Ms. Embree’s characterization is well-layered, and some of what is revealed isn’t necessarily what one might presume, a testament to her portrayal.
Tim Walsh as the author in question strongly presents the stereotype of the great writer who has the ego and brusqueness one would expect, then proceeds to break it down, piece by piece, into a man who has some major points and who is trying to say something significant about what maybe we can learn from a tragedy. And then there is James Wheeler, playing the fact checker extraordinaire – clearly some of the things he questions are pushing it or just plain ridiculous, but he also makes salient strides about what fudging or changing facts could mean today in an online world where everything is dissected on Facebook, Reddit, and the like. Mr. Wheeler masterfully takes an apparent greenhorn and builds him into a man on a mission with a strong conviction that one should say what you say in the right way.
The screen background and view of the author through it on a phone conversation adds metaphorically, as well as dramatically, to the story. Costumes are well done, including the accessories which help renew the outfit used on the boss, while maintaining its consistency, until a second ensemble makes more than one statement. The location of the contract printing house which produces the physical magazine being in Kankakee adds not only local color, but credibility as that area is rife with the kind of large-scale production and warehouse facilities that such a print plant would be.
The three actors combine to speak such truth, sometimes seemingly in conflict, that saying the production is transcendent is not too far off the mark. The subject matters involved can be rather serious and frank, especially since the essay is about the suicide of a teen. With that in mind, if you know someone experiencing a life crisis, please help by directing them to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which is reachable by call, chat, text, or website. We implore you to go see “The Lifespan of a Fact”, as it is a great work of drama, as well as a powerful source of conversations that need to be had in these times. The play only runs through April 13th, so see www.oillamptheater.org for tickets or more information.
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