Opera Club

The Opera Club will screen “Fire Shut Up in My Bones” on Tuesday, May 16, at 1:30 p.m. in the Learning Center of Clubhouse 3.

Frieda Davis, the club’s knowledgeable music source, will introduce this contemporary opera by composer Terence Blanchard.

The opera is based on the New York Times’ bestselling “Fire Shut Up in My Bones” by Charles M. Blow.

It is a memoir about the author’s early-life exposure to pedophilia, illustrating the negative psychological and emotional effects caused by the human behavior of another person.

In Act 1, the adult Charles is driving back to his childhood home in Louisiana with a rifle next to him.

He recalls how his mother Billie was unable to extend affection to him as she had four other children plus a full-time job to manage her household.

When his older cousin Chester visited and abused Charles at age 7, he understands that destiny beset him with the burden of how to deal with that incident.

Act 2 recounts how his traumatic incident was followed by rage and confusion. However, Charles does decide to move on with his life by going to Grambling College.

In Act 3, he falls in love with Greta, but when he learns she is seeing someone else and breaks off with him, he calls home in his loneliness, only to find out that Chester is again visiting.

He packs a gun and sets off for his childhood home leaving destiny and the audience to discover the outcome of his decision.

The production is in English with English subtitles. Attendees are invited to wear masks indoors, if desired.

No dues or fees are collected. For more information contact Opera Club President Margaret Gillon at MargaretG@yahoo.com or call her at 562370-3844.