Two members of The Actor’s Gang, founded by Tim Robbins, will perform the Sept. 11 inspired play, “The Guys,” at the McComas Hall Theater Feb. 24 and 25.
In an ironic twist, the originally scheduled play, “The Comedy of Errors” performed by the National Shakespeare Company, fell short on its funding and had to cut shows due to the attacks of Sept. 11. When the selection board discovered that they needed to find a new play, they made contact with the Actor’s Gang about “The Guys,” a play about the lives of some of the firemen that died on Sept. 11.
Since “The Guys” experienced great success, the Actor’s Gang expanded their tour dates, and Mississippi State became one of the first places added.
Anne Nelson wrote “The Guys” after a conversation with a senior battalion commander who needed help writing eulogies for eight men from his ladder company that died on Sept. 11. As the fireman told Nelson about his men, she realized what unique qualities these men exhibited. Nelson includes all of these unique qualities, both good and bad, in “The Guys.”
“‘The Guys’ is not about the horror of the firefighters’ deaths, but a remembrance of their lives,” the Los Angeles Times said. “A certain kind of humor belongs to a firehouse as surely as a Dalmatian or a pole to slide on.”
Tim Robbins founded The Actor’s Gang in 1981 in Los Angeles in an attempt to present new and unconventional plays to the public. They have produced 68 plays and won over 100 awards for their innovative plays.
The Flea Theater in New York City originally produced “The Guys” in December 2001 under the direction of Jim Simpson. Robbins, Helen Hunt, Bill Murray, Susan Sarandon, Sigourney Weaver and Amy Irving have all performed in the play. V.J. Foster and Adele Robbins will perform the play in Starkville under the direction of Robert Egan.
Mississippi State graduate assistant in communication Josh Wooten said he feels confident that “The Guys” will provide a worthwhile experience for all in attendance.
“We are really excited to get this play,” Wooten said. “Being in Mississippi kind of separated most of us from the reality of Sept. 11, but I think this will give us a good depiction of the real people that died for our country.”
Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performances on Tuesday and Wednesday nights are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens (65 and over by request) and $6 for children ages 3-12. Individual tickets will be available only at the door, and MSU students will be admitted free with student identification. Firefighters will also be admitted free as long as seats are available.