“The Lifespan of a Fact” is written by Jeremy Kareken, David Murrell and Gordon Farrell, based on a book (and an incredible true story) by John D’Agata and Jim Fingal.

This Fireside Theatrics play stars Kendra Neumann, Morgan Suszek and Tyler Wolfrom, and contains strong language and some adult themes, but “nothing too crazy,” according to Neumann. She and Suszek established Fireside Theatrics in 2024 and they have partnered with Alpena Civic Theatre to use their building for performances.

“This has been a dream of mine and Morgan’s for a very, very long time,” Neumann said about starting Fireside Theatrics. “We’ve been talking about getting this started cause we wanted to do … newer shows more modern contemporary-style stuff.”

She said the theater community is strong and supportive in Alpena.

Courtesy Photo Fireside Theatrics presents "The Lifespan of a Fact" opening Thursday at Alpena Civic Theatre.

“We’re really excited and Civic was so gracious to let us use their space in their materials and their board has just really stepped up and they’re running the box office for us and programs,” Neumann said. “It’s been such a fun, supportive, collective effort from lots of different theater folks around town.”

She said plays come in many genres, as do theater groups, and Fireside Theatrics will bring in more shows that may appeal to new audiences and offer more variety alongside the great offerings of Alpena Civic Theatre.

“Honestly, a lot of my generation, they don’t even know what live theater is,” said Neumann, who is in her early 30s. “They’ve never been in a theater.”

She is hoping Fireside Theatrics will offer shows that bring new playgoers in to enjoy the fun atmosphere of a live theater production.

“We want to do show that bring them in,” she said, adding that the collective energy of a live theater performance is special for the actors, crew, and audience alike.

She added that supporting the Masquers Club and getting more young people interested in the performing arts is very important.

As for “The Lifespan of a Fact,” Neumann said “It’s a phenomenal script.”

“We picked it because it’s a real challenge for us as artists, and in this first one, we were like, ‘Well, you know what? It’s our company. Let’s do one that really speaks to us as actors and creators.’ It’s so fun. I play a magazine editor and Morgan is the intern who is my fact-checker and then Tyler is playing John D’Agata, who is the author of the essay we’re looking to print in my magazine.”

Neumann said she used to do plays with Wolfrom when she was younger.

“He actually hasn’t done a show in 20 years and I dragged him out of retirement just to do this one,” she said with a laugh.

She talked more about the storyline of “The Lifespan of a Fact.”

“It’s about a kid who actually jumped from the stratosphere tower in Vegas,” Neumann said of the article that they are working on in the show. “It just looks at the dichotomy of truth and poetic justice, you know, like, how deep do you research the facts to find truth before you lose the importance in the message of the story? It’s a really good comment on media right now. How do we trust media and how far? How far do we go to find the truth?”

She added that the play is “like the battle of journalistic standards and emotional integrity.”

Neumann said there are moving parts, thinking parts, and humorous parts in the play.

“It’s a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s not all sad. There are lots of fun little jokes and quips and quirks that we’ve thrown in … It’s just a very moving piece. I’m so excited to share it with Alpena.”

She added that after the Sunday matinees there will be Fireside Chats with questions and answers that the public can attend following the Sunday shows, around 4 p.m.

Alpena Civic Theatre is located at 401 River St., Alpena. You may reserve tickets by calling 989-354-3624, or just come to ACT, as doors will open early for playgoers to purchase tickets prior to each show. Tickets will be available for purchase starting at 5 p.m. each day before evening shows. The play runs at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, and again Aug. 7 through 10.