This was in a local paper......is this the same thing that was permiered for you guys? I was under the impression that it was a movie...this says it is a play?
_______________
'The Guys' salutes Big Apple firefighters of 9-11
DONNA HARTMAN
Herald Staff Writer
Television has aired countless documentaries on Sept. 11, 2001. Nonfiction books about America's new day of infamy abound. References are starting to pop up in the movies, i.e. Spike Lee's "25th Hour." Steve Earle and Bruce Springsteen have immortalized the day and its aftermath in song.
Now journalist Anne Nelson has written a play, simply called "The Guys," which pays tribute to firefighters in New York City who died in and who survived the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.
The play takes place in New York less than two weeks after two hijacked jet airliners slammed into the World Trade Center and the the twin skyscrapers crumbled.
"The Guys" focuses on Nick, a fire captain who has lost most of his men in the attacks. He's searching for a writer to help him with eulogies that he has to give at their funerals. He finds an editor named Joan and together they remember the fallen men by writing their stories.
Nick and Joan discover the possibilities of friendship and their love for the resilient spirit of New York City.
As they make their way through a landscape of grief, they draw on humor, the tango, and the enduring bonds of humanity for inspiration and emotional survival.
The "New York Post" has called the play, "stark and simple, potent and poignant, brimming with edgy humanity. It's a generous, sad touching play about the braveries of grief."
Brian Shea, a University of South Florida graduate and an actor who has appeared on local stages, directs "The Guys." It features husband and wife Paul and Roz Potenza in the roles of Nick and Joan.
The play opened in late 2001 at Tribeca's off-off-Broadway theater, The Flea, and starred Bill Murray and Sigourney Weaver. Since then, stars of stage and screen have performed the play throughout the country.
Jobsite's production of "The Guys" began when artistic associate Paul Potenza went to New York in January of 2002 and saw The Flea's original production. He was convinced he had to bring the play to Tampa.
Potenza was born and raised in New York City, which he still considers his home.
Shortly after Sept. 11, he toured Ground Zero. His brother-in-law, Tommy DaParma, a fireman and Queens trustee for the Fire Department of New York, helped Potenza get in touch with Nelson and he pitched the play to Jobsite.
The play is an important bridge for those who live outside New York because it gives victims and survivors a human face, Roz Potenza said.
"These were people with full lives and the firefighters are a close community. They call each other brother," she said. "It's a play about the loss of life and about life and the people who have to continue on."
Interestingly, the circumstances brought together Nick and Joan, two people who otherwise might not have connected, Roz Potenza said.
Potenza's "mind-boggling" visit to Ground Zero spurred him to bring the play to Tampa.
"Artistically and personally, it's an important play," he said. "It's an inspirational piece that reminds us that we need to remain focused on the good things."
"The Guys" plays at 8 p.m. Sept. 3 and 10 at the Jaeb Theater, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa. Tickets: $25. Proceeds will benefit the widows and children of the FDNY and Tampa Fire Rescue. Information: (813) 229-7827.



_______________
'The Guys' salutes Big Apple firefighters of 9-11
DONNA HARTMAN
Herald Staff Writer
Television has aired countless documentaries on Sept. 11, 2001. Nonfiction books about America's new day of infamy abound. References are starting to pop up in the movies, i.e. Spike Lee's "25th Hour." Steve Earle and Bruce Springsteen have immortalized the day and its aftermath in song.
Now journalist Anne Nelson has written a play, simply called "The Guys," which pays tribute to firefighters in New York City who died in and who survived the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.
The play takes place in New York less than two weeks after two hijacked jet airliners slammed into the World Trade Center and the the twin skyscrapers crumbled.
"The Guys" focuses on Nick, a fire captain who has lost most of his men in the attacks. He's searching for a writer to help him with eulogies that he has to give at their funerals. He finds an editor named Joan and together they remember the fallen men by writing their stories.
Nick and Joan discover the possibilities of friendship and their love for the resilient spirit of New York City.
As they make their way through a landscape of grief, they draw on humor, the tango, and the enduring bonds of humanity for inspiration and emotional survival.
The "New York Post" has called the play, "stark and simple, potent and poignant, brimming with edgy humanity. It's a generous, sad touching play about the braveries of grief."
Brian Shea, a University of South Florida graduate and an actor who has appeared on local stages, directs "The Guys." It features husband and wife Paul and Roz Potenza in the roles of Nick and Joan.
The play opened in late 2001 at Tribeca's off-off-Broadway theater, The Flea, and starred Bill Murray and Sigourney Weaver. Since then, stars of stage and screen have performed the play throughout the country.
Jobsite's production of "The Guys" began when artistic associate Paul Potenza went to New York in January of 2002 and saw The Flea's original production. He was convinced he had to bring the play to Tampa.
Potenza was born and raised in New York City, which he still considers his home.
Shortly after Sept. 11, he toured Ground Zero. His brother-in-law, Tommy DaParma, a fireman and Queens trustee for the Fire Department of New York, helped Potenza get in touch with Nelson and he pitched the play to Jobsite.
The play is an important bridge for those who live outside New York because it gives victims and survivors a human face, Roz Potenza said.
"These were people with full lives and the firefighters are a close community. They call each other brother," she said. "It's a play about the loss of life and about life and the people who have to continue on."
Interestingly, the circumstances brought together Nick and Joan, two people who otherwise might not have connected, Roz Potenza said.
Potenza's "mind-boggling" visit to Ground Zero spurred him to bring the play to Tampa.
"Artistically and personally, it's an important play," he said. "It's an inspirational piece that reminds us that we need to remain focused on the good things."
"The Guys" plays at 8 p.m. Sept. 3 and 10 at the Jaeb Theater, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa. Tickets: $25. Proceeds will benefit the widows and children of the FDNY and Tampa Fire Rescue. Information: (813) 229-7827.
Comment