'The Guys' sheds light on positive outcomes of 9/11

Writer and editor Anne Nelson wrote "The Guys" in nine days, just after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The play was the cathartic result of Nelson's work with a firefighter who was unable to pen eulogies for the men he lost that day.

Jobsite Theater staged Nelson's piece twice before producing the first full run this month. Sensitively directed by Shawn Paonessa, it's one of the most important shows the company has done all year.

The premise is simple: Fire chief Nick (Paul Potenza) bears the responsibility of eulogizing eight New York City firefighters from his company. His emotions prevent him from writing anything, and he enlists the help of Joan (Roz Potenza), an editor and former journalist.

They meet in her apartment, where Joan gently coaxes Nick to recall everyday details about his band of brothers. She encourages him to ignore the politicized hero factor, which is the part that stumps him, and focus instead on stories that illuminate their humanity.

When Joan expresses regret over not being much help overall, Nick reminds her that she doesn't need a fireman's axe to cut through the rubble. Words are her tools, and they are powerful. Her mind and pen alone sift through Nick's shattered emotions and psyche, uncovering memories and rescuing spirits to be returned to the families. Neither wood nor metal could accomplish that.

The play's beauty lay in its honesty. It wasn't maudlin, depressing or angry, and it didn't exaggerate the horrors. Rather, it shed light on the positive outcomes of collateral damage. Nelson showed how an act intended to rip a country apart facilitated the unlikeliest connections.

Husband and wife Paul and Roz Potenza have performed in every Jobsite production of "The Guys." Their connection to the subject, however, has extended beyond stage, citizenship or serendipity. Their brother-in-law was a firefighter and Queens Trustee for the FDNY during the attacks. He escorted Paul Potenza through Ground Zero that October. From there, reality took on a different meaning.

Bringing that insight to their performances, both actors generated a sense of kindness and empathy. Their work on stage, Paonessa's direction and Nelson's dialogue actually created a "safe place" in this tiny corner of the world - an impression of security in the arms of human generosity and goodness.

THE GUYS

When: Through Sept. 25; 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday

Where: David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, Shimberg Playhouse, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa; call (813) 222-1001 or visit www.strazcenter.org

Tickets: $24.50

Running time: 70 minutes