Theater at the Varsity: The Lifespan of a Fact
Date/Time
Date(s) - 09/18/2026 - 09/20/2026
7:30 pm
Location
The Varsity
Categories
The Varsity and Varsity Productions present in the Balcony an exciting live theater event that takes us through the twists and turns of facts and storytelling. Whether you’re a journalism junkie or just curious, this is your chance to explore how facts somehow change and sometimes get stretched. Don’t miss out on this look at the art of editorial storytelling, truth and debate.
“The Lifespan of a Fact” by Jeremy Kareken & David Murell and Gordon Farrell, is based on the book of the same title by John D’Agata and Jim Fingal. The three-member cast are employees of a major magazine: the editor, a writer and a fact-checker (Lourdes Albuixech, Seth Stearns and Trevor Thompson). Each shares the overall goal of the publication’s success, and they become at odds with one another over matters of journalistic integrity. The play juxtaposes the concepts of accuracy and truth. The dialogue is simultaneously hilarious and thought-provoking, and it’s the type of play that will stick in one’s memory for years to come.
Viewer discretion: While the work is a comedy, members should be advised that the difficult matter of self-harm is a pivotal subject in the narrative.
“The Lifespan of a Fact” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Dramatists Play Service, www.concordtheatricals.com, and is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.
Performances are Friday and Saturday, Sept. 18 and 19 at 7:30; and Sunday, Sept. 20 at 2.
Saturday’s performance will be followed by a panel discussion. Panelists include Alee Quick, faculty managing editor of the Daily Egyptian; Molly Parker, assistant professor of Journalism; and Renee Branum, assistant professor of English with a background in creative nonfiction.
Advance tickets are $10 General Admission and $6 Student with valid ID at Eventbrite.com. Tickets also may be purchased at the door one hour before each performance.