A staged tribute

Mary A. Castillo

Nearly one year ago Southern Californians were either woken up by

phone calls or saw over their coffee cups the attacks on the Twin

Towers and the Pentagon.

For Edward Hegel, he also woke up to the rise of everyday heroes.

That morning and the aftermath of those events are the focus of a

new play, “America: A Heroes’ Tribute” written and directed by the

Laguna resident.

“That morning I wanted to be back there with my family to somehow

help the victims,” he said. “This is my way of doing something.”

Motivated by the generosity and camaraderie of Americans following

the tragedy, Hegel set aside the two screenplays he had been working

on and dedicated himself to the play.

“When I was writing there were some days where I had tears running

down my face,” he said. “The second act was the toughest part to

write because I wanted to respect the survivors and the victims.”

Nearly four months later he completed the play and set about

publishing, and then producing it.

He set up his own publishing company, Oro Leaf Press, and printed

the book. He looked high and low for a theater and ended up with one

in his own backyard.

“Thank God I found the Artists Theatre and that they had the dates

available,” he said.

After a long audition process, actors who did as well as those who

didn’t get cast wrote him emotional letters sharing how Sept. 11

affected them and how they knew someone who died. The 20 who made it

gave Hegel, who also directs and acts in the play, their heart and

soul.

“This cast wants to be part of this play,” he said. “And it

shows.”

The three-act play is set the day before, the day of and three

months after the event. The characters include among others an

executive and his fiance who work in both towers, two policemen who

happen to be father and son and a fireman and his pregnant wife.

These characters are especially important to Hegel not only as a

native New Yorker, but because his sister, Laurie lost two very good

friends who were in her wedding party. One was a fireman and the

other a cop; both died when the towers collapsed.

His family will be in the audience at the premiere.

“I’m so happy that it has come to fruition,” he said. “To see

people come out from New York who have been affected makes it all

worthwhile.”

“America: A Heroe’s Tribute” will show at 8 p.m. today through

Sept. 15 at the Artists Theatre, 625 Park Ave. Tickets cost $20 and

during the run of the play, 100% of the book’s sales will go to the

Twin Towers Orphans Fund. Contact Ticketmaster for tickets, dates and

times. For information contact (714) 740-2000 or visit

www.ticketmaster.com.