Berkshire on Stage

In the era of “fake news” and “alternative facts,” I think everyone has strong opinions about truth, accuracy, and the difference, if any exists, between the two. But whatever your opinions, The Lifespan of A Fact, presented by Creative License and playing at Cohoes Music Hall, will find a way to challenge your beliefs. 

The Lifespan of a Fact concerns a writer, a fact-checker, and an editor locked in a tête-à-tête-à-tête over the accuracy of an essay. As a deadline looms, the three characters debate the integrity of facts, the integrity of literature, and how much freedom a writer should have to take liberty with specific details to serve a larger narrative. It’s rare that I get to see a play where I agree equally with every character; but I was profoundly invested in this story of a talented writer who sees poetic evocation as the ultimate “truth,” an idealistic fact-checker with a deep sense of journalistic integrity, and an exhausted pragmatist who just wants her magazine to go to print on time (preferably without any material that might get her sued).

The pragmatic editor is played by Lisa Bryk, while Creative License favorite Ian LaChance plays the talented but arrogant writer. Bryk and LaChance perform their roles excellently. Bryk commands every scene she’s in, while LaChance buzzes around the stage with the manic arrogance of a successful man with deeply-buried self-doubt. But the shining star of this show is Jacob Bell in the role of the naïvely idealistic fact-checker. Bell’s comedic timing and loveable ungainliness give no small amount of comic relief to a show where big ideas and important debates are peppered with the humor of everyday awkwardness and run-of-the-mill personality clashes.

Actor Jacob Bell also designed the set for the show, which makes excellent use of the stage’s space to depict multiple homes and an office without having to move much furniture. This is done with versatile lighting, designed by Vera Schulman, but could not have been pulled off without the cast and director making expert use of the space. It is a testament to the abilities of the actors that we can watch Bell and LaChance on the phone with each other on the same couch, and believe them to be in two different homes sitting on two different couches. The show is tied together with some excellent music and effective use of a large screen above the stage (both designed by director Aaron Holbritter).

All in all, The Lifespan of a Fact is a triumphant production that is not to be missed! It is wonderfully acted and includes some very creative stagecraft that will delight all theater nerds without distracting those audience-members who are just there for a laugh. It’s funny, timely, poignant, and, most importantly, it’s highly entertaining.

Creative License presents The Lifespan of a Fact by Jeremy Kareken, David Murrell, and Gordon Farrell, directed by Aaron Holbritter, runs from January 30th-February 8th, 2025, at the Cohoes Music Hall, 58 Remsen Street in Cohoes, NY. Produced by Casey Polomaine. Cast: Jacob Bell as Jim Fingal, Lisa Bryk as Emily Penrose, and Ian LaChance as John D’Agata. Lighting design by Vera Schulman. Set design by Jacob Bell. Costumes & props by Casey Polomaine. Sound & projection by Aaron Holbritter.

Performance dates are Friday-Sunday. Friday, and Saturday curtains are at 7:30pm and Sundays are matinees only at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for seniors 65 and up, and $25 for military and students. Runs approximately 80 minutes with no intermission. Contains strong language and discussions of suicide. Recommended for ages 13+. Tickets are available online at https://www.thecohoesmusichall.org/events/2026/lifespan-of-a-fact, by phone at 518-434-0776, or at the door for any performance.