That Day in September

Written by Artie Van Why, That Day in September tells the story of one man's experience at Ground Zero on 9/11 as well as his emotional recovery from that experience. Van Why was at work across the street from the World Trade Center when it was hit by the planes that had been commandeered by terrorists. He originally performed it as a one man show. However, theatre groups across the country have performed it with more than one actor. produced an eight actor version in September 2007. The show was adapted by Matt Falduto, who also directed it. It was performed in the now defunct Arts a la Carte space in Old Brick.

Cast

Michael Connell Kris Denniger Chuck Dufano Elisa Elizalde Jeffrey A. Mead Ellen Stevenson Brandon Tanner Brian Tanner

Recollections of the show

"At the simplest level, theatre requires a storyteller and an audience. Dreamwell’s recent production of That Day in September has these basic elements and more. Artie Van Why, a survivor of the attacks on the twin towers of the World TradeCenter, wrote his story of that day and many days that followed. Although written as a monologue, this production tells Artie’s story not in a single voice but in the voices of eight actors each representing an archetype of the thousands of individuals whose lives were lost or changed forever on that day.

Actors are accustomed to creating a character—it’s what they do. But for eight actors to create a single character and to do so convincingly, consistently, and with real depth is a remarkable achievement. That’s what these eight actors did under Matt Falduto’s thoughtful and assured direction. Together they created a unique ensemble to tell Artie’s compelling story with the immediacy and urgency of one day’s terror and with the reflection of one who must relive those awful hours in order to move past them.

With great economy of style, but with obvious depth of feeling, the company brought That Day in September to vivid life. This production was emotionally moving and intellectually stimulating. The actors, who all deserve gratitude for their fine performances, are: Michael Connell as a teacher; Kris Denniger as an attorney; Chuck Dufano as an office worker; Elisa Elizalde as a police officer; Jeffrey A. Mead as a musician; Ellen Stevenson as a mother; Brandon Tanner as a student; and Brian Tanner as a blue-collar worker.

That day in September, 2001, is one of the days we remember in detail—where were we when we first heard of a plane crashing into one of the twin towers, and then the second plane and the horrific crumbling of the towers. These are part of our collective experience, whatever our individual story. Artie Van Why and That Day in September  are now indelibly a part of my memories."

 -- --Gerry Roe (originally published on the Iowa Theatre Blog, September 17, 2007)