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The Guys
First performed in a hit off-off-Broadway production, and soon to be a film starring Sigourney Weaver and Anthony LaPaglia, The Guys is a timeless drama about the surprising truths people can discover in ordinary lives, and the connections we make with others and ourselves in times of tragedy.
Paralyzed by grief and unable to put his thoughts into words, Nick, a fire captain, seeks out the help of a writer to compose eulogies for the colleagues and friends he lost in the catastrophic events of September 11, 2001. As Joan, an editor by trade, draws Nick out about “the guys,” powerful profiles emerge, revealing vivid personalities and the substance and meaning that lie beneath the surface of seemingly unremarkable people. As the individual talents and enthusiasms of the people within the small firehouse community are realized, we come to understand the uniqueness and value of what each person has to contribute. And Nick and Joan, two people who under normal circumstances never would have met, jump the well-defined tracks of their own lives, and so learn about themselves, about life, and about the healing power of human connection, through talking about the guys.
Paralyzed by grief and unable to put his thoughts into words, Nick, a fire captain, seeks out the help of a writer to compose eulogies for the colleagues and friends he lost in the catastrophic events of September 11, 2001. As Joan, an editor by trade, draws Nick out about “the guys,” powerful profiles emerge, revealing vivid personalities and the substance and meaning that lie beneath the surface of seemingly unremarkable people. As the individual talents and enthusiasms of the people within the small firehouse community are realized, we come to understand the uniqueness and value of what each person has to contribute. And Nick and Joan, two people who under normal circumstances never would have met, jump the well-defined tracks of their own lives, and so learn about themselves, about life, and about the healing power of human connection, through talking about the guys.
128 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2002
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62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 12, 2019
A profound play about some of the firefighters who lost their lives in 9/11.
June 8, 2008
I did NOT enjoy reading, watching, or designing for this play. I found it stilted and stereotyped. I feel for the subject matter and I do believe that it's extremely important to honor those men who sacrificed themselves on 9/11; I just don't think that this play was an effective way to do that.
Journalism and playwriting are two drastically different forms. The journalist formulas don't work on stage. Anne Nelson, unfortunately, should stick to journalism.
Journalism and playwriting are two drastically different forms. The journalist formulas don't work on stage. Anne Nelson, unfortunately, should stick to journalism.
July 20, 2023
Just a beautiful play about dealing with the unique grief of NYC after September 11th.
June 26, 2017
The plays that really engage me these days are either very dark or ones that point to a very humanistic optimism. It must be the times we live in as much as anything I have personally going on.
This is one of the hopeful ones. Anything that points to people working together to overcome something nightmarish- I'm thinking of The Laramie Project as much as this- already has my attention. Mr. Rogers once told a story where the phrase "look for the helpers" was the moral.
This is about the helpers. It is well-written, deceptively simple and filled with so much heart that mine almost burst.
REQUIRED.
This is one of the hopeful ones. Anything that points to people working together to overcome something nightmarish- I'm thinking of The Laramie Project as much as this- already has my attention. Mr. Rogers once told a story where the phrase "look for the helpers" was the moral.
This is about the helpers. It is well-written, deceptively simple and filled with so much heart that mine almost burst.
REQUIRED.
November 29, 2021
In some ways profound.
In some ways stereotypical and pandering.
In some ways stereotypical and pandering.
February 16, 2026
When one of my book clubs chose to read The Guys: A Play by Anne Nelson, I immediately got the book. One of my favorite undergraduate courses was a whole semester of reading dramas from around the world.
The Guys is a poignant story of a fire captain’s need to write obituaries for his fellow firefighters following the horrifying day of 9/11. Through a series of coincidences, Anne Nelson, professor of journalism at Columbia, met the captain. He told her stared at the blank piece of paper and was unable to add a word. Nelson talked with him, asking him about each firefighter in turn. As the captain talked, Nelson made notes. Then she wrote the obituaries from what the captain told her about each firefighter. They were not her words, but his. She had the ability to put the captain’s words onto the paper.
Together, Nelson and the captain decided these obituaries did not need to be lofty speeches. Instead, they needed to capture the essence of each man from what the captain knew of them from working with them.
The Guys is a moving story and well worth reading.
The Guys is a poignant story of a fire captain’s need to write obituaries for his fellow firefighters following the horrifying day of 9/11. Through a series of coincidences, Anne Nelson, professor of journalism at Columbia, met the captain. He told her stared at the blank piece of paper and was unable to add a word. Nelson talked with him, asking him about each firefighter in turn. As the captain talked, Nelson made notes. Then she wrote the obituaries from what the captain told her about each firefighter. They were not her words, but his. She had the ability to put the captain’s words onto the paper.
Together, Nelson and the captain decided these obituaries did not need to be lofty speeches. Instead, they needed to capture the essence of each man from what the captain knew of them from working with them.
The Guys is a moving story and well worth reading.
August 25, 2025
Journalists and Playwrights overlap in their writing in some aspects and of course you can do both. However Anne Nelson should stick with journalism. The play is dry, rather pretentious at times and cringe. I don’t particularly like funeral speeches (I imagine most people dont) but the ones included in this book sound like they were written by a five year old.
The good stuff is in the Preface and Afterword, those are vastly more interesting and well written than what’s in between.
What really rubbed me the wrong way was the dig at the rest of the world making this tragedy about themselves? Maybe some introspection about American Imperialism would help there.
The good stuff is in the Preface and Afterword, those are vastly more interesting and well written than what’s in between.
What really rubbed me the wrong way was the dig at the rest of the world making this tragedy about themselves? Maybe some introspection about American Imperialism would help there.
December 19, 2021
Anne helps Fire Captain Nick write eight eulogies in the days after 9/11. She’s a writer, reporter, editor, professor. He’s a grieving fire captain who wants to help His Guys and their families, but his guilt, for having the morning off, and his overwhelming task is daunting. This is a very good play, which is designed to be like “Love Letters,” with two actors, two chairs, a small table and music stands for the scripts as the only set. It’s pretty perfect for us. Lent to me from Don's personal play library.
June 29, 2024
I am too young to remember anything from 9/11, so I appreciated the way this play gave me insight into the feelings/attitudes of New Yorkers after the towers fell. This play is clear in its purpose, and I find it wise to analyze through the lens of that purpose. It gave catharsis. It served as a witness.
September 8, 2020
Very touching and insightful. A look inside the FDNY after the 9-11 tragedy. A story of pain and sorrow, of love and camaraderie. Certainly an interesting read and one that shows what the life of a firefighter can be no matter in which state they work.
February 16, 2021
What a moving tribute to those who gave it all for their communities! I found this short play to be terse and very relevant. In the right hands of two performers, it could be a loving memoir of a few of the firefighters.
June 9, 2020
This was an interesting play and quick read. Always fascinating to see how different people process the events of that day.
February 1, 2014
I haven't read a play since high school, but I enjoyed getting back to it with this.
I thought it was well done. I captured the mood of the tale end of 2001 and 2002. I was also amazed with how much emotion can be placed into dialogue and minimal stage directions.
All in all, I liked it. I'm glad I stumbled upon it at the library.
I thought it was well done. I captured the mood of the tale end of 2001 and 2002. I was also amazed with how much emotion can be placed into dialogue and minimal stage directions.
All in all, I liked it. I'm glad I stumbled upon it at the library.
Want to read
March 16, 2012Just because you're writing about something heavy and so, so sad, doesn't mean you are going to touch someone's heart. You've got to write, well, too. I like what Nelson did, because I think she did it out of a giving spirit, but the play isn't good. The Afterward was really interesting though!
April 19, 2013
A 2-person-play about 9/11. Had to read it for an university lecture, and found it quite interesting although also a bit 'dry' since it is only talking talking talking but no action.
Was made into an (Broadway?)-play with Sigourney Weaver and Anthony LaPaglia and eventually also into a movie.
Was made into an (Broadway?)-play with Sigourney Weaver and Anthony LaPaglia and eventually also into a movie.
May 10, 2010
Always interesting to read about 9/11. My first time reading a play and enjoyed it.
February 12, 2011
Almost ten years later I still find it difficult to read or watch anything related to 9/11.
March 7, 2011
A quick read.
August 16, 2011
Performing this piece
February 13, 2016
Check out my review here:
http://shannonsbookbag.blogspot.com/2...
http://shannonsbookbag.blogspot.com/2...
May 9, 2024
A thoughtful look into how NYC and fdny was handling post 9/11.
November 1, 2018
Simple but effective.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews