He is one of the famous choreographers in the american east coast. With his "Bang Group", David Parker was very successful. He did a choreographic version of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN and one of his best known works is THE NUTCRACKER.

He is also Robert B. Parker's son. I would like to thank David very much for agreeing to do this interview with me!

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Simon: How would you describe Robert B. Parker as being a father?

David Parker: He was a great father. He wasn't always easy, but he was a real family man and he loved raising my brother and me. He was very interested in my intellectual development and he prodded me and challenged me to speak and think ever more clearly and incisively. He loved to debate me and in so doing teach me how to be rigorous in my thinking. He was also very tender-hearted and even sentimental--a mix of mush and steel. I was devoted to learning from him and emulating his class, forbearance, courage and discipline. And he was terrifically funny.

 

Simon: Do you remember special moments or anecdotes you would like to share?

David Parker: Despite our close relationship, he was not happy when I decided that I was gay at the age of 31. I was engaged to a young woman at the time and he suggested that I go through with the impending marriage and have gay affairs on the side. This was so wholly uncharacteristic of his values and so contrary to his nature that it shocked me. To his credit, when I confronted him about this he recognized what I was saying immediately and recanted.  He never had any subsequent problem with this.

 

Simon: Is there a Spenser novel you particularly like?

David Parker: My favorite is "Early Autumn" because it introduces Paul Giacomin and I love "Looking for Rachel Wallace" because she's such a memorable character and the moral dilemma undertaken is so compelling.

 

Simon: Are any Spenser characters based on David Parker?

David Parker: Yes, Paul Giacomin.

 

Simon: Did you have watched Spenser: For Hire?

David Parker: Yes, I watched it during its run on television in the 80's.

 

Simon: How was it to grew up in a town like Lynndale?

 

David Parker: It's actually "Lynnfield" and I loathed it. I found it a hidebound, conventional, stifling suburb distinguished only by its proximity to Boston which I visited as often as I possibly could.

 

Simon: Your father has played various characters in the Spenser movies. Your brother Daniel is also an actor who was cast in many films like "Appaloosa". Why didn't we see you on camera?

David Parker: I wasn't asked. But should the opportunity arise, I sing and dance and have a good speaking voice.  

 

Simon: What inspired you to become an choreographer?

David Parker: My family was very verbal. Dinner in our home was a charged environment where we were challenged by our parents to be articulate and clever at all times. Dance was a wonderful alternative to that, it was expressive but also ambiguous and mysterious. I could be anything I wanted to be in dance. When I first saw dance I felt it was like my native language. It saved me.

Simon: On the site www.dance-enthusiast.com, you've said that you like Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Are there any other dancers or choreographers that have influenced you in your work?

David Parker: I love Gene Kelly's dancing and Fred Astaire is one of the biggest influences on my ideas about dance. I have been greatly influenced by Merce Cunningham, Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Bob Fosse, Gregory Hines and several others. One of my favorite dancing stars is Debbie Reynolds whose unsinkability is a beacon. 

 

Simon: What's the biggest project you've ever taken on as an choreographer?

David Parker: One of my best known works is "Nut/Cracked" which is my comic-subversive, neo-vaudeville production of "The Nutcracker" which has been in continuous repertory for the past 13 seasons. Aside from that, my biggest project has been maintaining a full time dance company for the past 21 years.

 

Simon: Is there anything that I didn't cover that you would like to tell us about?

David Parker: I really like the direction Reed Coleman is taking with Jesse Stone and Ace Atkins' last Spenser book, "Kickback" was just terrific. I'm very happy to have these fine writers continuing to develop and enrich Dad's legacy.