PRESS RELEASE: Truth or Spin? 6th Street Playhouse Presents The Lifespan of a Fact
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2026
Contact: Kira Catanzaro, Marcom Manager
kira@6thstreetplayhouse.com
Truth or Spin? 6th Street Playhouse Presents The Lifespan of a Fact
A Razor-Sharp Comedy About Truth, Storytelling, and the Fine Line in Between
ANTA ROSA, CA (April 27, 2026) – 6th Street Playhouse continues its dynamic season with The Lifespan of a Fact, a fast-paced play that dives into the high-stakes world of publishing—where facts are checked, stories are shaped, and the truth is anything but simple. Directed by Libby Oberlin (The Book of Will), the production features a cast of seasoned actors, including Emily Lynn Cornelius and Shanay Howell alternating in the role of Emily Penrose, Marty Pistone (Marjorie Prime) as John D’Agata, and Noah Vondralee-Sternhill (Romeo and Juliet) as Jim Fingal. The production opens Friday, May 8 and runs through May 24, 2026 on the Monroe Stage.
“…terrifically funny dialogue…once the writer and the fact-checker get into a lively debate on the ethics of factual truth vs. the beauty of literary dishonesty, it’s time to really sit up and listen…Their deadly serious but oh-so-funny ethical dispute is brilliantly argued…the debate at the heart of this play transcends comedy and demands serious attention.”
~ Variety
Emily Penrose, the exacting editor-in-chief of a prestigious New York magazine, assigns Jim Fingal, an ambitious young fact-checker, to verify a groundbreaking essay by renowned author John D’Agata. As Jim meticulously scrutinizes the piece, he discovers numerous embellishments, igniting a fierce debate over the boundaries of factual accuracy versus creative license. The Lifespan of a Fact is a fast-paced, blistering comedy that offers a timely exploration of the high-stakes world of publishing, where the quest for truth becomes a battleground of wit, ethics, and editorial judgment.
The play has been lauded for its sharp dialogue and thought-provoking themes, prompting audiences to question: In storytelling, how far can one go before the facts become fiction?
Written by celebrated playwrights Jeremy Kareken, David Murrell, and Gordon Farrell, and based on the acclaimed nonfiction book by John D’Agata and Jim Fingal, The Lifespan of a Fact premiered on Broadway in 2018 to widespread acclaim. The production starred Daniel Radcliffe, Bobby Cannavale, and Cherry Jones, and was praised for its intelligence, humor, and timely subject matter.
The Lifespan of a Fact went on to receive multiple honors, including nominations from the Drama League Awards and strong critical recognition across major publications for its sharp writing and electric performances.
The Cast of The Lifespan of a Fact is as follows:
Jim Fingal – Noah Vondralee-Sternhill
John D’Agata – Marty Pistone
Emily Penrose – Emily Lynn Cornelius
Emily Penrose (Alternate) – Shanay Howell
John D’Agata U/S – Nate Musser
Shanay Howell will perform the role of Emily Penrose on:
Saturday, May 9, 2 pm
Thursday, May 14, 7:30 pm
Saturday, May 16, 7:30 pm
Thursday, May 21, 7:30 pm
Saturday, May 23, 2 pm
“The Lifespan of a Fact” is presented by arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. www.dramatists.com
Showing: Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm, from May 8 through May 24, 2026
Run Time: Approximately 95 minutes, no intermission
Tickets cost $33.00 – $47.95 (including all applicable fees) and are available online at 6thStreetPlayhouse.com or by calling the Box Office at (707) 523-4185. boxoffice@6thstreetplayhouse.com