The Lifespan of a Fact
Jeremy Kareken & David Murrell and Gordon Farrell
Based on the book by John D’Agata and Jim Fingal
Presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service
October 4-6 & 11-13, 2024
All performances at 7:30pm
Venue: Ki Coffee (4655 SW Griffith Dr #160, Beaverton, OR 97005)
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Jim Fingal is a fresh-out-of-Harvard fact checker for a prominent but sinking New York magazine. John D’Agata is a talented writer with a transcendent essay about the suicide of a teenage boy—an essay that could save the magazine from collapse. When Jim is assigned to fact check D’Agata’s essay, the two come head to head in a comedic yet gripping battle over facts versus truth.
Featuring
JIM FINGAL: Matthew Grand
EMILY PENROSE: Diana LoVerso
JOHN D’AGATA: Dirk Foley
Directed By: Pax Bennett
Stage Managed By: Anna Wong
Technical Direction: Alex Woodard
Production Designer: Pam Taylor
Costumes: Pat Lach, Sandi King
A Special Thank You to Ki Coffee for the performance space!
About The Creative Team
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Matthew Grand is elated to play Jim Fingal in this production! He's a massive nerd who will ramble about whatever has caught his attention recently, so feel free to ask him about it. At the time of writing, it's currently Marvel Rivals, Nine Sols, Arcs, and Legacy Board Games. He has been in only one production with Spark Plug so far (Riley in Infamy Inc, part of Looking for Light), and has been in a few Mask & Mirror shows (Meeker in Inherit the Wind, Ellard in The Foreigner, Cletis in Laundry & Bourbon).
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Diana LoVerso is excited to be part of this show with Spark Plug Theatre Collective! She has extensive performing experience in theatre and dance, and has worked with many Portland area theatres. Favorite roles include M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias (Lakewood Theatre Award), Anita in West Side Story (Drammy Award), Olive in The Odd Couple: Female Version, Helga Ten Dorp in Deathtrap, Abby in Arsenic and Old Lace (twice!), and Mrs. Osgood in Suite Surrender. She sends many thanks to Pax, Amanda, Anna, Dirk, Matt, the crew, and to her #1 fan, her husband Victor!
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This is Dirk Foley’s first production with Spark Plug Theater Collective! Dirk was born in Seattle, Washington and enthusiasm for acting & singing landed him both high-school and collegiate roles. Portland, OR became home in 1994. Portland theater credits include New Century Players (Stairway to Paradise, Persuasion, Fireside Christmas, I Do I Do, Legally Blonde), Defunkt Theater (Phaedra’s Love), Twilight Theater (Seminar, Fertile Ground), and Lakewood Theater (Starstruck). He is also seen frequently heard crooning for the local Portland jazz scene (Arrivederci Wine & Jazz, Milestones). Many thanks to partner Danny and the “cat pack” for their love and support!
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Pax Bennett has studied, produced, performed, and directed live theatre for over 38 years in New York, Connecticut, and Georgia. Her East Coast directing credits include The Runner Stumbles, Antigone, Baby with the Bathwater, and Richard III. Locally, she co-directed Inherit the Wind (Mask & Mirror) in 2024 after a short break became a long one. Pax is thrilled to be working with the incredible script and talented cast of The Lifespan of a Fact for Spark Plug Theatre Collective.
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Anna (pronounced “Ah-na”) is both a seasoned Stage Manager and performer with a background in symphonic & marching percussion. In addition to Spark Plug, she has worked with a several theatre companies in the Portland Metro area including Beaverton Civic Theatre, Oregon Children’s Theatre, and PassinArt. Recent productions include The Man Who Came to Dinner, Ramona Quimby, Two Witches No Waiting, FUTURA, Slow Food, Goodnight Moon, and Yohen. Outside of the stage, Anna is an avid gardener and aspiring horticulturist. Extra amazing thanks to all of the talented individuals that helped make this show possible!