On stage at New York’s Gene Frankel Theatre from yesterday, Feb. 19, through March 9, is Truth Be Told, a psychological drama written by William Cameron and directed by Kim T. Sharp, which confronts the grief of a mother with the investigation of a true crime writer. The Stanley Drama Award-winning play unfolds as a long dialogue between two women scarred by tragedy: Kathleen Abedon, the mother of a boy accused of a massacre, and Jo Hunter, a journalist intent on reconstructing the facts.
The play begins one year after a mass shooting that claimed fourteen lives, including the author himself, with Jo trying to understand what really happened. Kathleen, however, rejects the official narrative and claims that her son was framed. The confrontation between the two is not only a search for truth, but also an investigation into how the media constructs the memory of an event and how public perception can be manipulated.
Playing the protagonists are Francesca Ravera and Michelle Park, who bring to life an intense and tight emotional duel. “Jo is obsessed with the facts, but uncovering the truth turns out to be much more complex than expected,” Ravera explained. Park, in the role of the grieving mother, renders with great sensitivity the fragility of a character torn between grief and denial.
Sharp’s direction chooses an essential layout, focusing on the intensity of the text and the dynamics between the two actresses. Set design is kept to a minimum, while Zee Hanna’s lighting helps punctuate the emotional crescendo of the confrontation. “This play is not just a crime drama,” commented the director, “but an exploration of social violence and the search for truth in an age of misinformation.”
With a fast pace and no concessions to easy answers, Truth Be Told taps into the contemporary debate about the perception of reality and the role of storytelling. The play, which has already generated strong audience engagement, will run at the Gene Frankel Theatre through March 9, with performances Wednesday through Sunday.
CAST & CREW
Francesca Ravera (The Hummingbirds, Constellations, Blackbird, The Way We Get By, Espresso) nel ruolo di Jo
Michelle Park (Vino Veritas, Al Gora Rhythm) nel ruolo di Kathleen
Creative team:
Scenografia e costumi: Elena Vannoni
Lighting design: Zee Hanna
Stage manager: Jo Calhoun
Pubblicità e marketing: Katie Rosin/Kampfire PR
ORARI DELLE REPLICHE
February 19 to March 9, 2025:
Mercoledì: ore 19:30
Giovedì: ore 19:30
Venerdì: ore 19:30
Sabato: ore 14:00 e 19:30
Domenica: ore 14:00
Tickets cost $37 and can be purchased by clicking here.
The article Truth Be Told playing through March 9 at the Gene Frankel Theatre comes from TheNewyorker.
