THE STORY: Finally, finally, Jacob McNeal has won an award he feels appropriately honors his genius: the Nobel Prize in Literature. The award is already improving his professional life, including high expectations for his newest novel which his longtime publisher has honored by providing an appropriately large advance. But McNeal’s career success comes at a time of great personal turmoil. His alcoholism is spiraling out of control, and his estranged son, mistress, and a New York Times culture reporter threaten to ruin his reputation—something McNeal might accomplish himself with his use of Artificial Intelligence. McNeal must figure out how far he’s willing to go to tell a good story and if the value of the message outweighs its perceived truth.
“Ayad Akhtar’s brilliant new play is transfixing.” —The Atlantic.
“Akhtar reanimates the discussion of artistic freedom in the fraught context of AI.” —Los Angeles Times.
Artwork courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater.
