Notes on Me and You
Notes on Me and You
lyrics by N.J. Collay
music by Dawson Atkin
performed by Sam Vana
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Notes on Me and You is a narrative theatrical song cycle composed by Dawson Atkin with lyrics by N.J. Collay. The story follows a gay man between the years 1987 and 1992 as his partner is diagnosed with, and eventually dies from, HIV/AIDS. The show was sung by Sam Vana, who accompanied himself on guitar. The work explores themes of grief and loss, as well as political action in the face of bigotry.
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The piece is structured in 3 acts, separated by brief transitions. The first follows the time from diagnosis to hospitalization. The second follows the couple from hospitalization until the singer's partner's death. The final act follows the singer through his process of grief and acceptance.
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Notes premiered at the 2020 Hartford Fringe Festival in a digital version directed and edited by Dawson Atkin, where it was available for streaming for 30 days.
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