STANDING TALL Reading Brings 9/11-Inspired Emails, Journals and Creative Writing to the Stage Tonight

An adaptation of the book STANDING TALL - the emails, journals and creative writings of 9/11 is being presented tonight, November 7th at 7:00 PM at ArtNY Bruce Mitchell Theatre, 520 Eighth Avenue, 3rd Floor produced by FACT Theatre Company.

STANDING TALL, which is published by Library Tales Publishing, was compiled immediately after 9/11 by author, Lynn Manuell. During her trip across country after the events of 2001 she was questioned by those she met about her whereabouts and response, being a New Yorker. Lynn decided to reach across the globe to collect the emails and writings about the event, which she compiled into STANDING TALL in order to raise money for World Trade Center charities. The book was published in 2013 and is filled with moving and diverse viewpoints. Each entry is immediate and not something viewing the event from the perspective of history, but from a need to reach out to others experiencing the same event at the same time. Actors, Soldiers, Children and people from around the globe are included. Before Facebook and Twitter email was our way to reach each out to each other.

This summer Jack Dyville of FACT Theatre Company asked Lynn to create a script based on the original material. Lynn and Laurie Eliscu crafted a piece that focuses not so much on the events, which most people know, but instead on the response. "The generosity, care and support everyone gave each other at that time was deeply embedded in the original writings. As we have had nearly 15 years pass this communal spirit that emerged has disappeared." According to the author. "I wanted the caring that followed these events to be the focus of this script. One of my favorite quotes was that "We are now neither democrats or republicans but Americans." We see every day how far we have moved from this place and I hope the play will help to remind us of our heartfelt response. In addition this is primary source material which I hope can be utilized in the future for educational purposes."

Each cast member plays several roles. The New Yorkers they represent are workers near the building, teaches, actors, volunteers, military and pacifists are some of those represented. Poetry and music play a part in how people responded to 9/11 -- this too is included.

Director Laurie Eliscu (SDC, AEA, SAG-AFTRA) has directed numerous plays in NYC, stock, and regional theaters. This includes Lend Me a Tenor, Sylvia, Fiddler, Carnival, Bedroom Farce, The Good Doctor, Wanda's Visit, and several new plays (two published by Samuel French). With an MFA from Sarah Lawrence, she's taught at SUNY-Purchase, several colleges, and is a private acting coach.

The cast features Steve Hauck who appreared on Broadway in Irina's Vow and The Velocity ofAutumn. He has appeared in The Screwtape Letters, One Arm, Crossing Swords and numerous other off Broadway and regional productions. He appears frequently in film and television including The Good Wife, Gossip Girl, Elementary, The Amazing Spider Man 2.

Erik Jonathan Shuler was featured in If the Pink Pump Fits and Daddy Was the Biggest StageMother in Texas for FACT Theatre. He has worked with The Spirit of Broadway Theater in Summer of '42 and Dani Girl.. He has worked with Emerging Artists Theatre Company, AlphaNYC Theatre Company, Midtown International Theatre Festival, and The Unfringed Festival. Jillian Stevens was featured in Traveling Papers (Lion Theatre at Theatre Row), Shoebox Festival: A Stranger Here Myself , Spring Awakening , Reel to Real: Tribute(s) to Jimmy Cagney and Eleanor Powell (Lincoln Center), Beethoven: Love Elegies (Symphony Space), The Three Penny Opera - (The Kaye Playhouse), Plagued (The Gallery Players), Romeo & Juliet - Nurse, References to Salvador Dali Make me Hot -, The Rover - (The Frederick Loewe Theatre), Bending All the Rules -(The June Havoc Theatre), The Weiner Monologues: A Devised Greek Tragedy (Access Theatre). Marilyn O'Connell has performed in cabaret, commercials, voiceovers, film, TV, opera, industrials in U.S./abroad. Off-Broadway in The Raven, The Toymaker, Spoon River Anthology, Portrait of Jennie, Apple Annie.Regional: Tea and Sympathy, I Never Sang for My Father, Jacques Brel, Follies, The King and I, A Little Night Music, Carousel. Tours include The Sound of Music and Yeston's Phantom. Macy Elise Idzakovich has appeared in The Chancers at NY Workshop, Clybourne Park at the Frederick Lowe Theatre, Dex - A Killer Musical at the New York Fringe Festival and numerous other NYC and regional theatre productions. Author and actor Lynn Manuell will be representing herself as well as other characters. She is also an 8 time Tony nominated theatre educator, company manager and President of International Production Management. She has appeared in over 40 productions including Daddy Was the Biggest Stage Mother in Texas. If the Pink Pump Fits, Uff Da, The Glass Menagerie, As You Like It, High Button Shoes, How to Succeed..., Andrew Lloyd Webber Unplugged, she also has a CD RETURN TO LOVE is on Original Cast Records. J. Ryan Hicks has performed in numerous New York Productions. His response to being in this reading was to dedicate it "to the beautiful lives affected by the acts of September 11th, 2001. May all healing energies of the universe conspire to embrace you in a hurricane of pure light, peace of mind and, most importantly, LOVE! And quoting." -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

FACT Theatre Company was founded by Jack Dyville and David Gillam Fuller and has produced numerous full length productions including My Daddy Was the Biggest Stage Mother in Texas, If the Pink Pump Fits, Uff Day, Ragbo and Gaylicous, Words and Wine, and Page to Stage festivals.

For Reservations please email name and number of tickets to lynnmanuell@aol.com.