The Guys

“Where were you September 11?”

A week after the attack, a woman finds a way to answer that question by helping a fire captain write eulogies for his fallen men. Over some cold coffee on a long afternoon, two souls find moments of connection, humor, and compassion in the face of grief. Based on writer Anne Nelson’s own experience, The Guys opened in December 2001 just a few  blocks from Ground Zero. It ran for over a year with a rotating cast that included Sigourney Weaver, Bill Murray, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, and many more. 

Since then it has played in all 50 states and was made into a major motion picture. In commemoration of the 25th anniversary, Anne Nelson and director David Skeist have enlisted actors Kevin Shea, the sole survivor of Ladder Co. 35 on 9/11, and Melissa Wolff, who has performed the play regionally and for numerous firefighter conventions and gatherings, for a staged reading and post-show talk to reflect on the event and its legacy for New Yorkers and the world.

Anne Nelson (Playwright) is an award-winning author and playwright whose work has been translated into a dozen languages. Her 2001 play The Guys has had over 300 productions across the US and in 15 countries. It has often been produced as a benefit for firefighters in extreme situations, including Japan’s Fukushima disaster and the Australian bush fires. This year she asks audiences to remember the valiant firefighters of Ukraine, and consider contributing to the Nova Ukraine First Responders Fund. anne-nelson.com

Kevin Shea (Nick) A veteran FDNY firefighter and 9/11 responder, Kevin Shea brings deep personal resonance to this based-on-a-true-story drama, “The Guys”. Having sustained major injuries at the World Trade Center on September 11, Kevin Shea also endured the unimaginable loss of 12 brothers from his firehouse, Engine 40 and Ladder 35. For Kevin Shea, every performance is a tribute—a sacred space to honor and memorialize those fallen 12, all the brave firefighters who lost their lives, and the countless families forever altered by that day. Beyond the stage, Kevin Shea hopes this play offers a gentle harbor for healing, reflection, and shared catharsis, bringing audiences together to hold fast to the memory of our heroes and the unbreakable bonds of community.  And finally, it seems only appropriate to hope that after 25 years that this world-renown play be performed in NYC–where the bittersweet story unfolds. Never Forget.

David Skeist (Director) has directed multiple projects by Anne Nelson centering art and democracy including Die Illegalen, her premiere English translation of Günther Weisenborn’s firsthand account of resisting the Nazis, and Third Reich of Dreams, their theatrical adaptation of Charlotte Beradt’s dream archive of everyday Germans in 1930s Berlin. Previous directing work includes Susan Hyon’s solo Soo Jin Pretty Nail (and more). David is producing director of the bilingual ensemble Caborca and has composed the score for their upcoming musical about the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. He has appeared on stage in downtown theatre under Richard Foreman, Liz Swados, David Gordon, Doris Mirescu, and most frequently Javier Antonio González. David teaches acting at Barnard College.

Melissa Wolff (Joan) is thrilled to reprise the role of Joan, having initially played her in a regional production of The Guys and for special performances for firefighters. She has appeared in web series, short films and in numerous plays in NYC, regional theaters and in the Edinburgh; Washington, DC; and New York fringe festivals. She has also recorded voiceovers for television, radio and product marketing campaigns. Melissa is an active member of the Tuesdays@9 community in NYC and is a proud board member of Naked Angels. Yale graduate. www.melissawolff.com