Should a writer be more concerned with facts or how the words on the page flow?

I’m sure it will come as no surprise to those who know me that “the facts” always take precedence in any non-fiction writing. Sure, it’s great when the words all come together in a cohesive, memorable, moving way. But in the end, the truth matters—not just nuances about the truth that have been cultivated under the guise of literary license.

In the play “The Lifespan of a Fact” based on the book by John D’Agata and Jim Fingal a writer, editor and fact checker are the three characters. The play was written by Jeremy Kareken, David Murrell and Gordon Farrell.

The production at 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa runs until May 24. It debuted on Broadway in 2018 with Daniel Radcliffe as the fact checker.

If you like dialogue, this is the play for you. If you like a bit of comedy interspersed with a thought-provoking topic, this is for you. If you want some insight into the world of publishing, this is for you.

If “The Lifespan of a Fact” comes to a theater near you, go. It really is a great story.

In this particular adaptation, this community theater put on a great show. The actors were believable, even if the writer seemed a bit much. But writers can be that way. All three seemed so real in the roles they portrayed.

This is one play that will make you think and give you something to talk about long after the stage goes dark.