Regretfully, So the Birds Are

by Julia Izumi

Illy and Neel fall in love and Mora is so upset she decides to go on a journey to find her birth mother. Meanwhile, Neel discovers he’s tone-deaf and decides to go on a journey to find himself. Meanwhile, Illy doesn't go on a journey because she's bought a part of the sky, so what more does she need? Meanwhile Elinore is in jail and Cam is melting . . .? A farcical tragedy that questions the destructive nature...

Illy and Neel fall in love and Mora is so upset she decides to go on a journey to find her birth mother. Meanwhile, Neel discovers he’s tone-deaf and decides to go on a journey to find himself. Meanwhile, Illy doesn't go on a journey because she's bought a part of the sky, so what more does she need? Meanwhile Elinore is in jail and Cam is melting . . .? A farcical tragedy that questions the destructive nature of the American need for identity and the murky waters of Asian-American-ness.

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Regretfully, So the Birds Are

Recommended by

  • Isaac Byrne: Regretfully, So the Birds Are

    Delightfully whimsical and consistently surprising. Has a big heart that sneaks up on you, and can turn a big laugh into a big cry when you least expect it. Absolutely lovely.

    Delightfully whimsical and consistently surprising. Has a big heart that sneaks up on you, and can turn a big laugh into a big cry when you least expect it. Absolutely lovely.

Character Information

  • Mora
    The oldest and the messiest, she lives and feels everything at a ten, which sometimes leads to rash decisions, like going to find her birth mother with no real leads.
    Character Age
    29 going on 30
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Asian American
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Illy
    The youngest and the most impressive, stubborn and self-assured, she has big dreams that are hampered by being the only responsible one in her messy family.
    Character Age
    25
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Asian American
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Neel
    Classic middle child, anxious and naive, he learns something new about himself that leaves him completely unmoored, but underneath a lot of self-doubt is a strong moral conscience.
    Character Age
    28
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Asian American
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Elinore
    The mother of three adoptees, she loves a lot but not always well. A recovering Vicodin addict, the damage of which has left her a little unpredictable and strange, although perhaps she was always like that, it's hard to tell. Also plays a panicked BIRD.
    Character Age
    62
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Cam the Snowman
    white, male, a mostly dry and (ironically) warm snowman, the fragments of a father who was a professor of Asian History, though not a particularly good one, maybe even arguably a pretty terrible one. Also plays an enticing COWMAN.
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Srey
    An excellent storyteller and a natural caretaker, appears mysterious but she is actually just living in the moment, like we all claim we want to be.
    Character Age
    Age Unclear
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    French-Cambodian?
    Character Gender Identity
    Female

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Clubbed Thumb, Year 2021
  • Type Workshop, Organization Ojai Playwrights Conference, Year 2020
  • Type Residency, Organization Clubbed Thumb, Year 2020
  • Type Residency, Organization Space on Ryder Farm, Year 2019
  • Type Workshop, Organization Williamstown Theatre Festival, Year 2019

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Playwrights Horizons, Year 2023

Awards

  • Dr. Kerry English Award
    Ojai Playwrights Conference
    2021