At the Gene Frankel Theatre in New York, Truth Be Told is running until March 9, a psychological drama written by William Cameron and directed by Kim T. Sharp that confronts a grieving mother with a true crime writer’s investigation. The play, winner of the Stanley Drama Award, unfolds as a tense dialogue between two women marked by tragedy: Kathleen Abedon, the mother of a boy accused of a mass shooting, and Jo Hunter, a journalist determined to uncover the truth.
The play begins with a clear premise: one year after a mass shooting that left fourteen people dead, including the perpetrator, Jo seeks to understand what really happened. Kathleen, however, refuses to accept the official version and insists that her son was framed. Their confrontation is not just about uncovering the truth, but also about how the media shape public memory and how narratives can be manipulated.
Starring Francesca Ravera and Michelle Park, the play delivers an intense and gripping emotional duel. “Jo is obsessed with the facts, but discovering the truth proves to be far more complicated than she expected,” said Ravera. Park, portraying the grieving mother, sensitively captures a character torn between pain and denial.
Sharp’s direction opts for a minimalist approach, focusing on the power of the text and the dynamics between the two actresses. The set is kept simple, while Zee Hanna’s lighting design helps to emphasize the emotional intensity of their exchange. “This play is not just about crime,” the director commented, “but an exploration of social violence and the search for truth in an era of misinformation.”
With a fast-paced narrative and no easy answers, Truth Be Told engages with contemporary debates on perception and storytelling. The production, which has already sparked strong reactions from audiences, will run at the Gene Frankel Theatre until March 9, with performances from Wednesday to Sunday.
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