The Last Bastion

by Mark W Sasse

Seth Parsons brings his atheistic, Chinese girlfriend, Rainbow, home to meet his conservative Christian parents, George and Hannah Parsons, who live deep in upstate New York. Opinionated George has his own syndicated radio show on God and Country Radio and is deeply critical of the U.S. trade deals with China. Despite Seth’s reluctance to bring Rainbow home, he believes he can convince his parents to like her...

Seth Parsons brings his atheistic, Chinese girlfriend, Rainbow, home to meet his conservative Christian parents, George and Hannah Parsons, who live deep in upstate New York. Opinionated George has his own syndicated radio show on God and Country Radio and is deeply critical of the U.S. trade deals with China. Despite Seth’s reluctance to bring Rainbow home, he believes he can convince his parents to like her enough so he can have their blessing to marry her. While Seth and his father clash over religion and politics, he becomes blindsided by his mother’s secret and Rainbow’s serious doubts about her future.

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The Last Bastion

Recommended by

  • Unicorn Theatre: The Last Bastion by Mark W Sasse
    “

    This play was a SEMIFINALIST for the 2017-2018 In-Progress New Play Reading Series at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. It is our pleasure to support THE LAST BASTION.

    This play was a SEMIFINALIST for the 2017-2018 In-Progress New Play Reading Series at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. It is our pleasure to support THE LAST BASTION.

    ”

Character Information

  • George Parsons
    George Parsons (male – about 50 years old) He is Seth’s father and Hannah’s husband with a bombastic personality. He is a conservative Christian and very outspoken in his beliefs, but he isn’t as easy to pigeon-hole as one might think. He wants people to respect his point of view and is happy to debate anyone. But he doesn’t hold a grudge, is very kind, and is very concerned about the environment.
    45-60
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Rainbow (Jia-Yi)
    Rainbow (Jia-Yi) (female – early 20’s) She is an atheistic, Chinese university student studying evolutionary biology in the United States. She has been dating Seth Parsons for one year. She has an estranged relationship with her father, though this is understated in the play. She is confident and opinionated, yet surprisingly emotionally fragile.
    20-25
    Asian -- Chinese
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Seth Parsons
    Seth Parsons (male – early 20’s) He recently graduated with a Master’s degree in humanities. He grew up in a conservative Christian home but has been living with his girlfriend Rainbow for the past year and has been afraid to tell his parents. He is conflicted between the love of his life and his upbringing. He is convinced he can get his parents to like Rainbow, so they will give their blessing for him to marry her.
    20-25
    White
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Hannah Parsons
    Hannah Parsons (female – mid to late 40’s) She is George’s wife and Seth’s mother. She has been a homemaker her entire life and is loyal and faithful to George. However, she has a fierce independent streak that keeps George from falling off his axis, and she keeps her individuality by hiding some activities from George. She is the peacemaker in the family.
    mid to late 40s
    White
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Reading, Penang Performing Arts Centre, Penang, Malaysia, 2017

Awards

  • Greywood Arts Winter Writing Residency Award 2018
    Greywood Arts, Killeagh, Ireland
    Winner
    2018