A critically acclaimed 2018 Broadway play, this fast-paced story explodes with blistering comedy and timely relevance. Facts become blurry when they’re twisted into fiction in the high-stakes world of publishing. Emily Penrose, the demanding editor-in-chief of a high-end magazine, hires a determined millennial fact-checker named Jim Fingal to work on a groundbreaking essay written by the famous author John D’Agata. The deadline is tight, the essay is dense, and everyone must make a good faith effort in telling the story honestly. But the overly eager Jim perhaps takes his fact-checking way too far, creating the ultimate showdown of fact versus fiction.
Presented by the UIS Performing Arts Center | A GROUND FLOOR PRODUCTION
More about the show – listen here.
Cast:
John M. O’Connor as John D’Agata
Laura Briggs as Emily Penrose
Jakob Hankins as Jim Fingal
Directed by Michael Savage
John O’Connor is an Illinois state government reporter for The Associated Press, so rather than the smudge-the-facts-for-a-deeper-truth essayist he plays in this production, he’s more of a “If your mother says she loves you, check it out” kind of guy. Nonetheless, he’s been asking theater audiences to suspend disbelief in the Springfield area for 30 years. Among his favorite/recent parts are the title role in Sweeney Todd at Muni, Don in Kinky Boots at Legacy, John Proctor in The Crucible at TIP and Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar at STC. Look for him to reprise his role as the 16th president in the one-person show Mr. Lincoln early next year at HCFTA. He would like to thank those who, in whatever vocation or facet of life, tirelessly strive for the true truth in a time when the word tends to find itself defined in myriad ways.
Laura Briggs is thrilled to hit the stage again after appearing in the ensemble of STC’S Holiday Inn and as attorney Eileen Morrow in MASS Media’s Murder on the Menu. She’s a three-time TEDx speaker, a contributor for Entrepreneur.com, and the author of five books: How to Start Your Own Freelance Writing Business, The Six Figure Freelancer, Remote Work for Military Spouses, How to Become a Virtual Assistant, and Content is King: The Complete Guide to Website Copywriting. A freelance writer and digital ads strategist for the past 12 years, Laura has worked with over 400 clients including Microsoft, TrueCar, and America’s biggest personal injury law firm. She’s currently writing her dissertation for her doctorate in business administration.
Jakob Hankins has been involved in local theatre since 2008. Most recently, Jakob was seen as Flotsam in The Little Mermaid and Joe Pesci in Jersey Boys at the Muni. He also was recently Nigel Bottom in Something Rotten and Barry Mann in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical with HCFTA. Jakob is a graduate of AMDA College and Conservatory of The Performing Arts in Los Angeles, CA where he received his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Acting and worked professionally. Jakob is nearing completion of his second Bachelor’s in Secondary History-Social Science Education with Ilinois State University. Jakob plans on continuing his education towards a Film and Cultural History degree. Jakob wants to thank the directing staff for the opportunity to be a part of this production, his family for their continued support in Jakob’s impossible schedule, and the audience. Without you, we would be crazy people calling out to the void.
