Wendie Malick
Photo courtesy Associates of IAF

The Associates of the Idyllwild Arts Foundation will present the theatrical performance of “The Guys,” a play by Anne Nelson. “The Guys” stars Wendie Malick and Dan Lauria, both leading actors of television, stage and film.

The play tells the story of a NYFD fire captain who lost eight men in the collapse of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, and the editor who helps him prepare the eulogies he must deliver. “The Guys” was first performed at the Flea Theater in New York City on June 17, 2002.

This moving tribute to first responders will be performed at the IAF Theatre, on the campus of the Idyllwild Arts Academy at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23.

Dan Lauria
Photo courtesy Associates of IAF

Although planned well before the Cranston Fire, this performance has new importance as a salute to the first responders who risked their lives to save the mountain communities surrounding and including Idyllwild. All net proceeds will be donated to charity, including:

• The Idyllwild Arts Academy and Summer Program; this campus was evacuated quickly and safely on July 25, 2018, forcing the cancellation of the balance of the Summer Program and the culmination concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.

• The Idyllwild Fire Protection District for much-needed equipment after the Cranston Fire.

• The Wildland Firefighters Foundation honoring the four firefighters killed fighting the California wildfires in July 2018.

Many first responders will be invited to attend these performances at no charge. 

Michael Slocum, Associates president, said, “The Associates have been supporting Idyllwild Arts and the communities of the Idyllwild area for over 50 years; ‘The Guys’ gives us a special way to thank our local first responders, to help rebuild the character and community of Idyllwild, and to tell the world that Idyllwild was saved and is open for business. I hope you will support ‘The Guys.’ We thank Anne Nelson, Dan Lauria, Wendie Malick and the Idyllwild Arts Foundation for their generosity in making this event happen.”

There are multiple ways to support the Associates’ production of the Guys and to honor our first responders:

VIP tickets are $50 person with a reception will following the performance giving you a chance to meet the cast and thank various first responders.

General admission tickets are $25 per person. Tickets are on sale at www.associatesofiaf.org.

Various levels of sponsorship also are available for “The Guys,” ranging from $1,000 to $100. The First Responder Sponsorship at $100 allows the Associates to invite local first responders and a guest to a performance, plus to the reception.  Sponsorship details are available at www.associatesofiaf.org.

The Associates of the Idyllwild Arts Foundation, a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, also is accepting donations that will be given to the three charities listed above. All donations for “The Guys” made to the Associates will be donated to Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild Fire District and the Wildland Firefighters Fund. Visit www.associatesofiaf.org/give.

 

Correction: An early version had the Saturday performance at 8 p.m. instead of 7 p.m.