"The Guys" -- high drama by Anne Nelson

One of our former faculty members at Lenoir-Rhyne College, a former Hollywood actor, and recent Catholic convert, Donegan Smith, is currently directing a play about the firefighters involved in the terror incident of 9/11, which may be of interest to any readers in the immediate vicinity. The play, entitled "The Guys," by Anne Nelson, is opening this Friday (October 21, 2005) at Caldwell Community College, where it is being presented by Foothills Performing Arts.

The play isn't any ordinary play. It's culled from Nelson's own experience in writing eulogies for some of the fallen firefighters from 9/11. Central to the story are two characters. Suzanne Weiss summarizes in a review:

One is Nick, a NYFD captain who just happened to be off duty when his unit was called into the World Trade Center and disappeared from the face of the earth. Still unable to come to terms with that, he has been asked to speak at several of the memorial services. He is at a loss for words. The other is Joan (a nom de plume for playwright Nelson), an Oklahoma-born reporter who, like many of us, feels powerless despite an overwhelming desire to help. Somehow, in the peculiar serendipity of those days, they are thrown together and find a kind of catharsis, the beginning of healing. As do those who witness their encounter. [DVD right]

No matter how powerfully acted "The Guys" may be, the real stars are those you never see, as Weiss notes, the four men for whom Joan crafts eulogies, based on Nick's rambling recollections. Read more here.

Opening night will feature a full honor guard firefighters from Lenoir presenting the colors.

Reservations are required (Call 828-726-2318) and tickets are $10.00 (adults), $8.00 (Seniors), and $5.00 (Students/Children). All proceeds will go to the "Relay for Life" fund for all Emergency Services Personel.

Performances:

• October 21, 22, 27, 28 & 29 -- 8 pm.
• October 23 & 30 -- 3 pm

Rated PG

www.foothillsperformingarts.org

Location: FPA Studio Theatre, B-Building, CCC&TI Caldwell Campus ((just 15 minutes up Hwy 321 from Hickory, in Hudson, NC)

I don't know who of you have seen the local press reviews, but this looks to be some of the best acting you will ever see in these parts.

[For the full script of the play, see Anne Nelson's published play in book form, right.]