Laura Crago, as Joan, left, rehearses a scene with Casey Bowser, as Nick, for Butler Little Theatre’s upcoming production of “The Guys.” Submitted photo

Although the subject matter of Butler Little Theatre’s next production is directly tied to 9/11, its director said the show is like no other media related to the historic event.

“The Guys” originally premiered in December 2001, just a few months after the attacks on the World Trade Center, in New York City, for an audience of first responders.

The theater will premier the show on Friday, Sept. 11, marking the 25th anniversary of the attacks by also honoring first responders at the show.

Molly Miller, director of “The Guys,” said the play doesn’t involve any imagery from the 2001 event, but is about the personal fallout from the day. The play is written by a journalist who covered the historic event in 2001, and tells the real story of her helping to write the eulogies of the firefighters who died in the 9/11 recovery efforts.

“It’s meant to be uplifting and hopeful. I have constructed the play so there are only two places where you tear up,” Miller said. “I think it’s about two people who never would have met and were able to help each other through this terrible time.”

The play is a two-hander, featuring Laura Crago as Joan, a journalist, and Casey Bowser as Nick, a New York firefighter. The story unfolds as Nick tells Joan about the firefighters and the two share personal reflections on the attacks.

Crago said the narrative calls to mind the cultural memory of the event, but doesn’t stick in a tone that is dour. She also said the play and her character are challenging because the script is written in an almost journalistic style.

“The way you write when someone is reading something versus the way you write to read it for people to hear it, so that is one interesting element to it,” Crago said. “It’s a play that has a lot of heartfelt moments in it, and it shows we have to keep telling these stories. We have to keep remembering.”

Bowser also said the role is uniquely challenging, not just because of the subject matter.

“There’s nothing I can relate to about being a firefighter during that time,” he said, “so the idea of being able to kind of put that on, push myself to try to understand people that I have no basis for, is always interesting to me.”

“The Guys” marks Miller’s first foray into directing, and it’s a production that she said she was eager to take on. Katie Moore, producer of “The Guys,” said Miller researched the news of the time to create a set that reflects the style of the time and even includes nods to the themes of the story.

Miller said she was drawn to the show because she has worked with first responders. She added that each night of the show, the cast will pay tribute to first responders in attendance, whom will also get discounted tickets. The first 10 tickets for any local fire department are free each night, and there will still be a discount for groups of 10 or more, according to Miller.

Additionally, the theater will collect donations that will be given to fire companies in the area. Fire companies provided boots that will be placed at the theater entrance, encouraging people to give money to their local department.

“We’ll also recognize firefighters if they come to the show, because they’re there for us on our worst days,” Miller said, “and they don’t get thanked enough.”

“The Guys” runs about 75 minutes and does not include an intermission.

The show runs at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19, and at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 13. Tickets and more information are available online at butlerlittletheatre.com.