By JESSICA NEU
When I was a child, I can recall adults always discussing their whereabouts for two specific incidents: President Kennedy’s assassination and the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster. Whether you can remember where you put your car keys or why you walked into a room, some moments are so monumental they become part of you. The tragedy on September 11, 2001 is one of those moments. I was in 3rd period geometry class when the first plane struck the first tower, and I learned of the incident when I went to 4th period because there was a TV in the classroom. Four years later, when I went to college, we all shared our stories and compared experiences. My friend, Dan, went to school in Manhattan and described trying to navigate back to his apartment, unable to see more than a few inches in front of him, hoping to find his mom and brother at home. This story really impacted me because it was the first time I had heard an account of the day from someone who lived in New York City.
Now 25 years later, millions are still telling stories of 9/11. These stories help educate those who were too young to remember or not yet born, heal those still mourning the events of that day, and honor the lives lost. Behind the Lines: A 9/11 Story combines firsthand narration with live music created by jazz trumpeter Dominick Farinacci, Army veteran Jaymes Poling, and former FDNY member Bill Spade.
This powerful performance introduces two men whose paths crossed unexpectedly after 9/11. Bill Spade is a proud FDNY member who responded to the World Trade Center. Bill emerged as the lone survivor of his fire squad, and he can recall the details of that fateful day in haunting detail.
Feeling the call to serve his country after the 9/11 attacks, Poling enlisted in the Army and completed three tours in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division.
Farinacci created the show using a unique model of storytelling and music to lift stories of veterans, survivors, and first responders. Farinacci introduced the show and explained how he connected with Spade, who has dedicated his life to sharing his story in hopes of honoring the memories of those who have given their lives. Premiering earlier this year, Behind the Lines honors those who gave so much to their country and their fellow man, and educates the next generation about that horrific Tuesday morning.
Beginning with a haunting rendition of “America the Beautiful,” led by Farinacci and several supporting musicians, Poling and Spade initially intertwine their introductions, each offering context to help us better understand their stories of heroism on and after 9/11.
Spade detailed some of the incidents he responded to as an FDNY member stationed in Staten Island. Poling shared details of his deployment as handwritten letters from loved ones were projected on the backdrop. He explained how 9/11 marked the first time he truly thought about what it means to be an American.
For Spade and millions of other New Yorkers, Tuesday, September 11, 2001 began like any other day. He arrived at the firehouse at 7:00 AM and knew that his squad members must have just had a run because everyone was up. His wife was at home getting their son ready for his first day of school. Spade’s other son was only 2 months old. He talked with his coworkers, who had become like brothers. One just returned from a trip to Disney World with his wife and young kids. Another asked Spade to help him with his side hustle the next day. Someone else brought a small pound cake for everyone to share, while another made French toast that Spade was eager to try.
A call came in from a nearby building, but Spade stayed back to man the station. Then, he got a call from a fellow off-duty fireman. He said he was driving home from his shift when he saw a plane fly into one of the Twin Towers. Spade at first assumed he was joking but quickly realized he was not. Spade then detailed his journey from Staten Island to the Twin Towers and what he saw, who he saw, and what he heard. His story is a somber recollection of terror, desperation, heroism, and hope. The audience audibly reacted to the small details of Spade’s story. Having to drive over human remains to get to Ground Zero while saying a silent prayer. The blood on the second story windows from the jumpers. The glass in his eyes and lungs. “God, please forgive me. I’m just trying to respond.”
Poling’s story began in combat. He drew on the imagery and events of 9/11 for motivation, using them to stay grounded and focused during active duty. Poling spoke about how combat began to feel normal and how violence became familiar. His story differs from Spade’s in theme and pace, but it remains a story of heroism. Whereas Spade’s life was forever changed on 9/11, Poling’s life was shaped because of 9/11. Poling bravely described the difficulty of transitioning back to civilian life after active duty. He got into fights, drank excessively, and longed for the structure and comfort of military life. Poling compares combat to everyday life—an approach that is both relatable and unsettling. He reflected on how many fathers he had killed and spoke candidly about panic attacks and feeling emotionally disconnected from civilian life.
Both Spade’s and Poling’s stories felt heroic yet somehow relatable. The unimaginable horror of being trapped in a situation where you deem it necessary to say goodbye to your loved ones, despite them not hearing you. Feeling so angry that you feel violence is justified and comforting.
As the stories unfolded, Farinacci and fellow musicians kept the audience immersed in Spade’s and Pooling’s words. The music augmented the stories, but it also provided an emotional break from the tension and disbelief in the details. The music combined gentle original compositions with interpolations of songs by the likes of Leonard Cohen and Gnarls Barkley. The arrangements felt like part of the story, with instruments (piano, drum, trumpet) sounding like spoken words, either crying or rejoicing in tandem with the stories.
The show also brilliantly demonstrated the wonders of memory. Twenty-five years later, both Spade and Poling can remember the minutiae of their days with pristine clarity. As they were speaking, I could not help but think of my dad, who could barely recognize me at the time of his passing, but could still recall intimate details of his time in Vietnam.
The performance concluded with a gripping performance of TAPS that left the audience in stoic silence. Still, their applause showed deep gratitude and admiration for Spade, Pooling, and what felt like all first responders and military veterans.
Behind the Lines: A 9/11 Story gives new meaning to the phrase, “thank you for your service.” Somehow, “thank you” does not seem like enough. Even retelling my experience last night in this review does not feel like an adequate way to capture the essence of the performance. This show humanized 9/11 and surrounding events in a way I had never experienced before. The music, storytelling, and details reframed my entire perspective on 9/11. I will always remember where I was on September 11, 2001, but I will also always remember when I heard Spade’s and Pooling’s stories on September 16, 2026.
Behind the Lines: A 9/11 Story was presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust as part of the Dentons Cohen Grigsby Cabaret Series for one performance only on September 16, 2026 .
Categories: Arts and Ideas, Reviews
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