Event Article

"The Guys" ran from Feb 2 through Feb. 4 at the Bronwyn Dodson Theatre.

The play is set in New York City in the days following the destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. There are only two characters: Joan, played by Martie Ramm, and Nick, played by FC theatre instructor Chuck Ketter. The show begins with Joan describing her life and career.

She began her career as a newspaper writer who traveled the globe, eventually trading it in for marriage, children, and a stable career as an editor. She'd been devastated by the events of 9/11.Desperate to offer her services in some way; she was dissapointed to find that the volunteers most desired were medical personnel She found herself unable to help anyone in this hard time until she met Nick, a fire captain who had lost many of his men. Nick was given the taxing job of giving eulogies for eight of his men.

Through Joan's gentle coaxing, Nick reveals details about each of his crew: humorous anecdotes, little quirks, and cherished memories.

Together, the two succeed in composing touching, heartfelt eulogies for each. From a rookie with whom he'd barely had contact to Nick's very best friend, each of the men got the honor they deserved. l;'he result is a dignified tribute a rich and very human portrait of each life.

In the process, Joan and Nick form a strong bond by sharing details of their own lives. There is even a dream-sequence which may have been inspired by the recent popularity of ballroom dancing, when Nick teaches Joan how to tango. Ramm later commented that this was a perfect device to lighten the mood.

Playwright Anne Nelson based "The Guys" upon a true experience; it was she who had worked with a NYC fire captain to write eulogies for men killed in the 9/11 attack

"It was painful to ask him questions, and it was painful to hear the answers," Nelson said in an interview with the Columbia News. "But it had to be done. Memorial services were coming up, and I wanted to help him create eloquent eulogies that were still in his voice," she added.

Ramm is a Broadway veteran who has also per performed for Disneyland, direct and choreographing sketches for productions at the famed park.

At FC, Ramm serves as director of fundraising for the Theatre Arts department. Her performance as Joan is right on target: gentle with t . the grief-stricken captain, yet funny at times.

Ketter teaches Beginning through Advanced Acting at·FC, as well as playing featured and starring roles in many FC productions such as Dr. Larch in FC's 2005 presentation of "Cider House Rules." He delights with his versatility as a character role shy and inarticulate to humorous and extremely eloquent in his delivery of the speeches.

Following the show, Ramm and Ketter participated in a question and answer session with the audience. At Friday night's performance, two firefighters spoke up from the audience; one praised Ketter's bit at the climax.

All proceeds from "The Guys" were donated to the Orange County Chapter of the Red Cross.

From the print shop to the actors (including Ramm, who'd performed for, free with permission from Actor's Equity), everyone who participated had donated their time and abilities.