Sigourney Weaver Introduces The Guys

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, many showbiz folks sought to contribute to relief efforts. As a native New Yorker, Sigourney Weaver was no different. Thus, she decided to team with The Flea — her husband Jim Simpson's theater company — to put on an inspirational play written specifically in reaction to the tragedy. Shortly over a year later, The Guys has been adapted into a film (opening Dec. 13). Weaver's clearly proud of her part in its journey.

"I think part of the play is about how marginal a lot of New Yorkers felt because we didn't have the skills to actually go and help out at Ground Zero," she relates. "I felt immensely grateful, and still do, that I was able to bring what I do to a project about what happened."

In The Guys, Weaver reprises her stage role as a journalist who helps a fire captain — played by Anthony LaPaglia — write eulogies for his fallen men. But the stage production, which began performances in downtown Manhattan mere months after the events of 9/11, still holds a very special place in her heart. "I think it was really an offering to the city," says the 53-year-old actress. "A lot of the fire community and their families came to our show, including the families of people we talk about.

"It was an extraordinary experience because, for one thing, you're talking about a story that everyone shared — some people much more deeply than others," Weaver continues. "The tension and the sorrow in the theater were all extremely present."

Weaver hopes The Guy's film version will touch even more people in the same way, but mainly, she's glad she was able to do something. "I just feel lucky that I was able to feel useful," she admits. "So many New Yorkers wanted to do something and couldn't even give blood. It was very frustrating not to be able to do more."