In 1969, Chris Parsons served as a combat photographer in Vietnam. Combining his pictures with original music and dance, C. Neil Parsons, assistant professor of theater, recounts tales of danger, resilience, and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to.
“A strong filial tribute and unique creative monument to a regrettable war and one of the men who served in it and suffered because of it.” —Jay Harvey Upstage
“It’s unlikely anyone will forget the tragic beauty of this very personal story of one man that resonates with the loss of thousands.” —Plays with John & Wendy
Created and performed by C. Neil Parsons
Written by Chris Parsons and C. Neil Parsons
Photography by Chris Parsons
Dramaturgy by Megan Phillips
Artwork by Ammon EP
Music by Jen Baker, Stefanie Lubkowski, Clover Nahabedian, C. Neil Parsons, and Bahar Royaee
Program InformationWelcome Note
This work, literally decades in the making, was first premiered at the IndyFringe Festival (Indianapolis, Indiana) in 2019.
“A strong filial tribute and unique creative monument to a regrettable war and one of the men who served in it and suffered because of it.” —Jay Harvey Upstage
“It’s unlikely anyone will forget the tragic beauty of this very personal story of one man that resonates with the loss of thousands.” —Plays with John & Wendy
Scenes and Musical Numbers
MUSICAL INTERLUDES:
“A Thousand Words—Intro” by Bahar Royaee
(Sample: “Auld Lang Syne,” recorded by Bill Spence and Fennig’s All-Star String Band)
“For Neil 2019” (words on pain perception) by Jen Baker
“Unstuck in Time” (words on chronic pain) by C. Neil Parsons
“Stitches” (words on permanence) by Stefanie Lubkowski
“5 Stages” (words on that which cannot be unseen) by C. Neil Parsons
“Betrayal” (words on betrayal) by Clover Nahabedian
“A Thousand Words—Outro” by Bahar Royaee
(Sample: “Home Sweet Home,” music by Henry R. Bishop recorded by Bill Spence and Fennig’s All-Star String Band)
About the Artists
C. Neil Parsons (MM '17) is a collaborative performance artist who joined the Boston Conservatory faculty in 2017. Since his first professional theater production at age three, he has spent a lifetime on stage. A bass trombonist, choreographer, writer, and director, Parsons continues to pioneer interdisciplinary performance practices. He is a graduate of the Conservatory’s contemporary classical music performance program.
Production Credits
CREATIVE TEAM:
Created and performed by C. Neil Parsons
Written by Chris Parsons and C. Neil Parsons
Photography by Chris Parsons
Dramaturgy by Megan Phillips
Artwork by Ammon EP
Music by Jen Baker, Stefanie Lubkowski, Clover Nahabedian, C. Neil Parsons, and Bahar Royaee
CONCERT SERVICES STAFF:
Assistant Director, Concert Services – Luis Herrera
Coordinator, Concert Services – Matthew Carey
Concert Production Manager – Kendall Floyd
Performance Technology Technicians – Sara Pagiaro, Goran Daskalov
Special Thanks
Thank you to the veterans who were willing to share their stories during my research for this project. Thank you to Bill Brewster, curator of the First Division Museum, Wheaton, Illinois. Thanks also to Theresa Lang and everyone in the contemporary theater BFA program.
Boston Conservatory thanks audience members for viewing this program information online. This paperless program saved 200 sheets of paper, 21 gallons of water, and 18 pounds of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions.
Related Categories:
Faculty Performances
Theater
