Do facts matter' Or is it okay to change a few details to express a creative vision' Thats the debate at the heart of the fast-moving and thought-provoking "The Lifespan of a Fact" presented by Northampton Community College Theatre Department through Nov. 20 at Northampton Community Colleges Norman Roberts Lab Theater, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem Township.
Based on true events, theis fascinating play focuses on the conflict between Jim Fingal, a fresh-out-of-Harvard fact checker for a New York literary magazine, and John D'Agata, an academic writer who has penned an essay about the suicide of a teenage boy in Las Vegas.
In 2003, DAgata wrote his essay "What Happens There" which examines the culture of suicide in Las Vegas, Nevada following the 2002 suicide of 16-year-old Levi Presley. The teen, who died by jumping off of the Stratosphere Hotel, becomes the core of DAgata's exploration of Las Vegas tourist-centered culture and the citys high suicide rates. The play, written by playwrights Jeremy Kareken, David Murrell and Gordon F arrell, was adapted from the 2012 book "The Lifespan of a Fact" co-written by D'Agata and Fingal. 
The plays condenses seven years into a harrowing weekend of escalating tensions between Findal, DAgata and Emily Penrose, Findals no-nonesense editor, who has set a hard and fast deadline. If the essay isnt ready by Monday morning, shell have to run a puff piece on congressional wives. As each moment passes without resolution, tension builds, as the time and day are displayed above the set, adding to awareness that time is running out.
Aidan Weller is intense and uncompromising as the eager-to-impress intern Findal. Weller brings a high level of energy to the role as he prowls the stage, using toys cars and coffee pots to re-enact elements of the essay. Wellers Findal doggedly sticks to his guns as he goes up against the condescending DAgata (played with infuriating smugness by Travis J Nugent). Findal checks hundred of inaccurate facts from the manner in which someone committed suicide to the number of topless bars in Las Vegas to the color of the bricks on a building.
Nugents DAgata is prickly and arrogant at first, but as Findal digs in, the writer becomes defensive, even at one point resorting to violence; and Nugent lets us see the characters underlying insecurity. Nugent also imbues DAgata with passion as he defends his use of inaccuracies to create what he insists is a more emotionally impactful truth.
Megan Wolfes Penrose is tough and hard-nosed but struggling to balance her desire to publish what could be an award-winning essay and her concerns about litigation if the facts are indeed too fuzzy.
She displays editorial patience as she deals with Findals seemingly picky factual corrections.
Director Bill Mutimer keeps things moving around the stage and gives this talky show a welcome touch of humor and phsyicality.
Brett Oliveiras attractive two level set wonderfully takes the characters from New York to Las Vegas.
The play is 80 minutes long with no intermission.
"The Lifespan of a Fact" is not suitable for children age 12 and under.
Tickets are $5 and audience members are asked to bring nonperishable food donations to help stock the college pantry which provides food for needy students.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 and 20; and 2 p.m. Nov. 19.
For information, call 484-484-3412, or go to www.ncctix.org.