Created by acclaimed jazz trumpeter Dominick Farinacci and combat veteran Jaymes Poling, Behind the Lines: A 9/11 Story is a powerful live fusion of storytelling, music, and theatre exploring the human impact of September 11 and the war that followed. World Trade Center firefighter Bill Spade—the sole survivor of FDNY Rescue Company 5—and Poling, a three-tour Afghanistan combat veteran with the 82nd Airborne Division, share firsthand experiences of service, survival, and the lasting weight of memory, revealing an unexpected bond forged through resilience and purpose.

Farinacci, praised by The New York Times for his expressive artistry, leads a live ensemble performing an evocative score of original music and reimagined works by Leonard Cohen, Gnarls Barkley, and Tom Waits that serves as the emotional heartbeat of the piece. Immersive lighting and cinematic visuals translate memory into color and motion, creating a deeply moving environment that amplifies the storytelling. The result is an unforgettable, human portrait of courage, healing, and connection.