Book Club

In partnership with Townie Books, Firebird presents Jimmy’s Book Club! Resident book enthusiast Jimmy Utley leads a monthly discussion of plays that have had an impact not only on the theatrical world, but the social world as well. Emphasis will be placed on variety, with classic and contemporary selections, authors with varied backgrounds, interesting thematic concepts, different genres, etc. You can pick up a copy of the month’s selection at Townie Books, give it a good read, and then come to Jimmy’s discussion for a fun and fascinating conversation about these amazing plays and playwrights.

May is Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, so what better way to spark conversation and awareness than a funny, wild, and insightful play about the experience of growing up as an Asian-American.
Details below:

May 2024 Firebird Book Club
Sunday, May 19th, 6:30pm
Townie Books (414 Elk Ave. in Crested Butte)
May’s selection will be:
Songs of the Dragons Flying to Heaven
by Young Jean Lee
approx. time to read: 60-90 mins

Songs of the Dragons Flying to Heaven is playwright Young Jean Lee’s exploration of Asian-American identity and identity politics. Not a play in the conventional sense, Dragons eschews plot and character (characters don’t have names but are generically designated as “Korean 1,” “Korean 2,” “White Person 1,” etc.). Instead, it is a series of vignettes which are in turn chaotic, absurd, deliberately provocative, and darkly funny. While not for the faint-of-heart, Dragons examines serious themes and showcases the distinct style of a writer Lou Reed called “one of the most accomplished, articulate, versatile, and hilarious playwrights, musicians, artists that we in America have to offer.”

Mark your calendars, grab a copy of the play at Townie’s, give it a read and come on the 19th for some fascinating discussion!