TimeLine to Commemorate 9/11 Anniversary With 2 Readings of THE GUYS

TimeLine Theatre Company announces that it will present two free readings of The Guys by Anne Nelson, directed by TimeLine Associate Artist Louis Contey, as part of its ongoing TimePieces Play Reading series, to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Performances of The Guys will be Sunday, September 11 at 7 p.m. and Monday, September 12 at 7 p.m. at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Both performances will include a brief post-show discussion featuring Chicago firefighters who went to Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11 to aid in rescue and recovery efforts.

Tickets to attend the readings are free, but donations will be accepted, with all proceeds to directly benefit Ignite the Spirit, a non-profit organization founded in 2003 that provides assistance to Chicago's emergency responders in times of hardship.

Seating is limited and reservations are strongly recommended. To reserve tickets, call the TimeLine Theatre Box Office at 773.281.8463 x6 or visit timelinetheatre.com.

Based on a true story, The Guys is about the effects of the collapse of the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001. Less than two weeks after the attacks, New Yorkers are still in shock. One of them, an editor named Joan, receives an unexpected phone call on behalf of Nick, a fire captain who has lost most of his men and needs help preparing an unprecedented number of eulogies. The two spend a long afternoon together recalling the fallen men, their virtues and foibles, and fashioning stories into memorials of words. Making their way through an emotional landscape of grief, they draw on humor, tango, the appreciation of craft in all its forms, and the enduring bonds of common humanity. This powerful and widely acclaimed play debuted off-Broadway on December 4, 2001, and has since been presented in 48 states and around the world.

The Guys will feature acclaimed Chicago actors and Steppenwolf Theatre Company Ensemble members Francis Guinan as Nick and Ora Jones as Joan.

The Guys will take place at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Lot parking is available at Blaine School ½ block north of the theater, for $10. Valet parking is provided at the entrance to the theater for $12. For more information about directions, parking and dining at the Mercury Theater, please visit mercurytheaterchicago.com.

"We are honored to work with Ignite the Spirit and its co-founders Rich Pinskey and Ken Soo for the 10th Anniversary of 9/11," TimeLine Artistic Director PJ Powers said. "We believe that this partnership is a great opportunity to make an impact - not just through a stirring evening of theatre and remembrance but also by being able to financially improve the lives of everyday heroes in our community. These two evenings are sure to be a powerful and moving event that is not to be missed."

TimePieces is TimeLine's ongoing series of presentations designed to extend the company's mission beyond the four subscription series productions offered each season. The series offers audiences a chance to hear new or rarely produced plays inspired by history that connect with today's social and political issues. Each play reading is free (donations are accepted) and includes a brief post-show discussion to give the audience a chance to reflect on the piece and the themes and issues it presents.

 

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