But really, I think the OP are happy if we stick to the questions, what do you think?
I only think I have no experience with cypresses to share, so can't really tell much.
I'd more or less treat it like a juniper, I guess, meaning it should be fine as long as you cut back to some thing green.
I still wouldn't cut more than 35-40% of the foliage, and possibly do that only after it started growing next spring.