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Occupants, Stories of People Who Occupy, But Don't Belong

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IU MFA playwright Mauricio Miranda's Occupants is a big rich sprawling play set in the New York City of the Wall Street occupation. There's a fascinating strong cast of multifaceted characters.  Tara Chiusano is Alma the Peruvian emigré mother, still in shock from the brutal tactics of the Shining Path soldiers. Kristen Alesia is Gabi her street hustling, kick boxing daughter.

Scott Van Wye played Marquez, a schemer who's always accusing others of "growing a conscience," while his own sneaks up on him. Chris J. Handley was Shoeless, a man scarred by the fall of the economy that is the center of the protests.  Ashley Dillard was Sienna, first a student leader inspired by the occupy movement, later inspired more and more by just the power of leadership. Finally, there's my favorite, Cameron Mullin as La Chichi the towering , trash talking, transvestite hooker.

Occupants follows the story of Gabi as she desperately supports her frightened mother while trying to find herself as well. Along the way, Shoeless offers judgeless warmth, but little else. Marquez has schemes and frauds for her. Sienna offers companionship, perhaps a bit of love and a scary seduction.

In Katie Horwitz's directing, the scenes of Occupants melt as the story moves fluidly from downtown outdoor scenes to uptown indoor ones. It all takes place under Tony Stoeri's lighting, supported by the sound design of Andrew Hopson.

As Occupants  moved toward its conclusion in IU's Wells-Metz there were several moments that I thought were the end, but weren't.  Playwright Miranda vowed to avoid a traditional structure, but he does give in to the temptation to wrap up most of the story lines. It's a failing, but given all the energy and care that he's put into the great characters, I can sympathize with his wanting to nicely end the arcs of their actions.

At the theatre for you, I'm George Walker

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