The five-week limited engagement of the 9/11 drama is a Piven Theatre Workshop production.
The Guys, based on Nelson's real experiences, is a dialogue between a fire captain — who has lost most of his men in the Sept. 11 attack — and an editor who helps him write the eulogies as she struggles herself to come to terms with the event. Both find out, as quoted from the text, "We have no idea what wonders lie hidden in the people around us."
Piven, son of the famed Workshop founders, grew up on the stage. The actor is perhaps best known, however, for his work in film and television. His various film and TV credits include "PCU," "Ellen" and "Black Hawk Down" as well as "Say Anything," "Grosse Pointe Blank," "Bob Roberts" and "Serendipity" (the latter half starring with childhood and fellow Piven Workshop alum John Cusack).
Goranson, who is known to TV audiences as the original Becky on "Roseanne," has recently taken to the downtown New York City stages. Among her NYC stage credits are The Fourth Sister (Vineyard Theatre), Good Thing (The New Group), An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein (Atlantic Theater Company), Cat's Paw (Soho Rep) and Lydie Breeze (New York Theatre Workshop).
Cusack, a former "Saturday Night Live" cast member and two-time Oscar nominee, has seen the New York stage in Cymbeline (Public Theater) and Brilliant Traces (Cherry Lane Theatre.) Her film credits include her Academy Award nominated turns in "Working Girl" and "In and Out" as well as "Toy Story 2," "High Fidelity," "Broadcast News" and "Grosse Pointe Blank." Emmy Award winner Travanti includes "Hill Street Blues," "Adam," "Murrow" and "A Case of Libel" on his resume. The actor has also worked on stage in productions at the American Repertory Theatre (Boston), The Arena Stage (Washington, D.C.), The Old Globe (San Diego) and the Ambassadors Theatre (London).
Williams’ various film and television credits include "With Honors," "Backdraft" and "Early Edition." She is a frequent stage performer at the Goodman (Drowning Crow, The Visit) as well as Northlight and Court Theatres.
Piven and Goranson will perform through Jan. 26. Travanti will take over in the two hander Jan. 29-Feb. 9. Williams and Cusack will alternate opposite Travanti.
"The Guys" movie will be released in theatres March 28. The film features New York cast members Sigourney Weaver and Anthony LaPaglia under the direction of Jim Simpson, who helmed the original stage version
For tickets to The Guys, at Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway, call (773) 472-3492 or go online at www.tickets.com. All police and fire personnel and their families can recieve a discounted rate of $15 off, subject to availability.
